Could an Air Filter Boost Brain Function?

You Should Know: Tons of tips and products promise to improve focus, but here’s one you might not have heard before: air purifiers. New research suggests using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter could improve cognitive function. 

Going Deeper: The study included 119 participants ages 30 to 74 living near busy highways with high levels of traffic-related air pollution. They were randomized to run HEPA filters in their homes for one month, no filters for one month, and then sham filters for another month, or in reverse order. Participants took cognitive tests assessing memory, processing speed, and focus both before and after the experiment. Younger participants experienced no significant change, but after using a HEPA filter, those aged 40 and older had a 12% improvement in their test scores — which is about the same cognitive boost seen with increased daily exercise. 

Takeaway: We know that poor air quality affects the brain. Fine particulate matter in polluted air has been associated with inflammation and oxidative stress, and pollution exposure can increase the risk of mental health disorders, dementia, and poorer cognitive performance.

Bottom Line: Why HEPA filters helped older adults wasn’t explained, but reducing indoor air pollution is good for many aspects of our health.