Air pollution is associated with an increased risk of suicide and suicidal thoughts, according to research. Environmental pollution is known to be associated with poorer mental health but its role in suicide risk is less well understood. Scientists at Queen’s University Belfast examined whether air, noise, light, and water pollution could influence the risk of death by suicide and suicidal behaviours.
Their meta analysis of 29 studies found that exposure to airborne small particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide were linked to a heightened risk of death by suicide, suicide attempts and suicidal ideation. Narrative analysis of a further 16 studies suggested that some other air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and ozone, as well as noise pollution, were also associated with a higher suicide risk. However, evidence for light and water pollution was inconclusive.
The authors said the findings, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, suggested that environmental pollution could be considered in suicide prevention strategies and that suicide prevention should also be viewed as a public health issue. Dr Jess Moody, the senior research and evidence manager at Samaritans, said: “While the reasons for suicide are complex, evidence shows that a variety of factors can impact suicide risk and we must not ignore the environments we live in, particularly inequalities around living conditions. Samaritans welcomes research that helps awareness of how suicide links to wider public health concerns.” Dr Jon Van Niekerk, the chair of the general adult faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said the research suggested some forms of air pollution may be associated with a small increase in suicidal behaviour but it did not establish that air pollution itself caused suicidal thoughts or attempts.
He added: “Air pollution is closely associated with other factors which we know can influence mental health, including socioeconomic deprivation, urban living, physical health and housing. The authors do not acknowledge this when drawing their conclusions.” Dr Stephen Burgess, a professor of biostatistics at the University of Cambridge, said: “This study confuses two fundamentally different concepts: causation and association. For example, areas with higher levels of pollution may differ in other ways that affect suicide risk.
It is the third leading cause of death among 15– to 29-year-olds, according to the World Health Organization.
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