A new study from the University of Birmingham has found that exposure to particulate matter from burning candles can temporarily impair cognitive functions such as selective attention and emotion recognition. The research, published in Nature Communications, tested participants before and after exposure to candle smoke or filtered air.
The results showed that even brief exposure to elevated pollution levels compromised the ability to interpret emotions and maintain concentration on tasks. However, working memory remained unaffected, indicating that some cognitive functions are more resilient to short-term pollution.
Dr Thomas Faherty, lead author, said: 'Our study provides compelling evidence that even short-term exposure to particulate matter can have immediate negative effects on brain functions essential for daily activities, such as doing the weekly supermarket shop.' Co-author Professor Francis Pope added: 'Poor air quality undermines intellectual development and worker productivity, with significant societal and economic implications.'
GP Dr Amir Khan, speaking on his podcast, warned that burning many candles frequently could lead to long-term inflammation from volatile organic compounds. He noted that cumulative exposure might pose health risks over time.
The researchers call for further studies to understand how air pollution affects cognitive abilities and to examine potential long-term consequences, including dementia risk.
