Abstract:
Air pollution severely affects human health. Contemporary research shows that apart from
cardiovascular and respiratory health, particulate pollution has the potential to enter the
bloodstream and affect other organs, including the brain, which can lead to deterioration of
mental health. An adapted version of the 28-Item General Health Questionnaire was
administered to the residents living within 650m and 1300m radii of the Industrial Estate
Islamabad (IEI). Random sampling technique was applied while administering the
questionnaire. This study explores the link between air pollution and mental health in the
residents of IEI and statistical analysis showed that respondents residing within 650 meters of
the IEI (Band I) were more likely to show adverse mental health effects than respondents
residing in the 650-to-1300-meter radius (Band II). Results have been consistent for all four
sub-categories of assessing mental health used in this study, i.e., somatic function, anxiety,
social dysfunction and depression, indicating a correlation between exposure to air pollution
and mental health. Most indicators for the four sub-categories showed a p-value < 0.05
indicating a significant correlation between air pollution and mental health, particularly in Band
I. Contrarily, it was found that Band II residents were more likely to take precautionary
measures against air pollution than Band I residents. More research on this nexus needs to be
conducted as PM2.5 concentrations in Islamabad remain well above the WHO limits (<
5µg/m3) for most of the year, and often year-round. This means that people residing across
Islamabad are consistently exposed to detrimental air pollution and that stringent policy
measures are required to control industrial emissions to minimize damage to human health and
well-being.
