Heavy air pollution from traffic, factories, coal-fired power plants and home heating can increase the risk of suicide according to a new study.
The study conducted across China and published in February 2024 suggests the Chinese plan to clear the air, launched a decade ago, helped prevent some 45,970 suicides from 2013 to 2017.
China improved its air quality significantly through the 2013 Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan, which encouraged replacing coal with natural gas for residential and commercial heating, regulated vehicle emissions, promoted solar and wind power and set targets for reducing ambient air pollution.
China’s suicide rate has declined sharply in recent decades, as it has in most countries worldwide. In 2010, there were 10.88 suicides per 100,000 people in China; by 2021 the rate had dropped to 5.25, according to the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
Air pollution has also been associated with depression, anxiety, psychosis and neurocognitive disorders such as dementia. The studies suggest heavily polluted air can lead to an elevated suicide risk within seven days.
It has been long known that air pollution can harm physical health. Respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke and lung cancer resulting from polluted air lead to an estimated 7m premature deaths each year, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.
There is also growing evidence that air pollution takes a toll on mental health as well. Small-scale neurobiological and environmental studies have suggested spikes in the concentration of particulate matter 2.5 microns or less in width, known as PM2.5, quickly alter brain chemistry and can cause aggression, a loss of emotional control and an inability to cope with crises.
The study also found that women over age 65 are far more likely to take their own life in response to air pollution than any other demographic group. University of California assistant professor Tamma Carleton said, “This is surprising because male suicide rates exceed those for females across China and in most countries of the world.”
On the other hand, suicide attempt and completion rates among Chinese women are above global averages to begin with, and prior studies suggest many Chinese women act on impulse when attempting suicide. M