Long-term exposure to air pollution has been shown to have shocking effects on the brain.

A new study shows that exposure to common fine air pollutants such as PM 2.5 (particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers) causes changes in the structure of the brain that might heighten the risks of dementia and worsen cognitive functions.

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PM 2.5 can be considered dangerous to the brain and not only to the lungs based on the new study. Burning coal and car exhausts are among the leading causes of PM 2.5 air pollution.

"Long-term exposure to air pollution showed harmful effects on the brain in this study, even at low levels, particularly with older people and even those who are relatively healthy," said Elissa Wilker, an instructor of Medicine at the Harvard Medical School and study author.

Researchers observed 943 healthy adults known to be free of dementia and stroke. Participants lived in the Boston area, New England and New York where air pollution is low compared to other parts of the world.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used on the participants from 1995to 2005 so researchers could determine what the possible effects on the brain could be from exposure to long-term to air pollution.

The study showed a two microgram per cubic meter increase in PM 2.5 can be related to shrinking the brain's volume by 0.32 percent. This can result in a 46 percent higher chance of covert brain infarcts, also known as silent strokes.

TagsAir Pollution Can Cause Dementia New Study Reveals, Pollution, Burning woods, burning coal, car exhaust, Brain damage