Turns out breathing unclean air isn't just bad for your lungs, but also for your brain.
A new study published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that breathing polluted air might have a hand in impeding one's mental abilities.
The study found that long-term exposure to air pollution "impedes cognitive performance in verbal and math tests," especially for seniors, men and the less educated. The study also said that air pollution's negative cognitive effects would probably also add considerable health and economic costs.
Although the study was conducted in China, don't think its implications are limited only to that region. According to the World Health Organization, 91 percent of the world's population lives in places with poor air quality, and its health risks can range from high blood pressure to increased chances of autism.
