The hidden cost of air pollution: Our mental health

While people often talk about the respiratory effects of air pollution, its impact on mental health is just as concerning. As a psychologist, RMIT Senior Lecturer Dr Gordon Ingram sees growing evidence of this invisible threat.

Right now, Hanoi and much of Northern Vietnam are entering a period of prolonged drizzle, thick humidity, and stagnant air – typical of February and March. This seasonal shift not only makes daily life uncomfortable but also worsens air pollution, as the heavy, moisture-laden atmosphere traps fine dust particles close to the ground.

Air pollution is harmful, not just because chemicals in the air are physically poisonous or linked to respiratory infections, but also because they can have direct psychological effects on our brain, mind, and behaviour. 

That is why at this humid and polluted time of year, many people experience a noticeable dip in mood. Some develop symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is typically associated with winter in colder countries but can also be triggered by long periods of gloomy, cold, and sunless weather. Others report feeling more irritable, fatigued, or unfocused. Depression and anxiety tend to worsen in such conditions, and even those without a history of mental health issues may feel a general sense of unease.

Unravelling the reasons for these effects is a key research topic in environmental psychology. 

This is a growing research area in the behavioural sciences, driven by concerns about climate change and sustainability, and by rapidly increasing urbanisation around the world. It is based on the idea that our minds are affected by the environment in which we live. So, if we want a healthier mindset, we need a healthier environment.

We all take over 20,000 breaths every day, and yoga and meditation techniques teach us that our breath very much affects our state of mind. Yet many people do not realise that air pollution has been linked to many psychological problems, including:

• cognitive decline and brain fog (especially in older adults),
• depression and anxiety,
• stress and poor emotional wellbeing,
• development of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other attention problems in children.

While most of these studies are very recent and much research still needs to be done, the connections are becoming clearer.

One key mechanism is thought to be generalised inflammation (an auto-immune response), which can affect the normal functioning of the HPA (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal) axis. As one of the main homeostatic systems in the body, the HPA axis is responsible for releasing hormones such as cortisol in response to stress, so its malfunctioning can have pervasive effects on body and brain.

On top of this, air pollution can even have direct neurological effects, especially during pregnancy and old age (some studies have linked it to dementia). So, it is particularly important for older people, pregnant women, and small children to have clean air supply at all times.

Talking of children, recently I have been studying the increase in attention problems such as ADHD in modern societies. People tend to think that new technology is causing problems with attention, particularly in children and young people. But did you know that ADHD has also been linked to air pollution? Just as toxic chemicals in the air can inflame our bodies, causing illnesses and infections, they can have inflammatory effects on the brain, giving rise to “brain fog” and other problems. If we want to clear our heads, we need to literally clear the air.

I believe my own research area of education and technology can play a role in addressing this problem. One idea I intend to develop is a mobile game that teaches children about air quality, incorporating real-time pollution data from sources like IQAir. The goal would be to teach kids responsible behaviour when the air is bad. There is so much potential for mobile technology to help with this.

On an individual level, each of us can take steps to reduce exposure, such as monitoring air quality, using air purifiers, and wearing masks on high-pollution days. But it is equally important for our mental health to get out and enjoy the fresh air when it is good – particularly in parks or other green spaces, where trees and water help clean the air naturally.

Real change, however, requires smart policies and enforcement. Cleaner energy, stricter emissions control, and better urban planning are essential. Shifts such as reducing construction dust and waste incineration, promoting electric vehicles, public transport, and recycling, and even inventing cleaner technology to handle cultural practices like votive paper burning, can make a meaningful difference.

In Hanoi, air pollution has reached levels where some residents are leaving the city entirely in search of cleaner air. That is a stark reminder that this is not just an inconvenience but can potentially become a public health crisis. If we truly want to protect both our bodies and minds, we need to take air pollution seriously.

Story: Dr Gordon Ingram, Senior Lecturer of Psychology, School of Science, Engineering and Technology, RMIT University Vietnam

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Source: Vietnam Insider