Science & technology | Pollution and suicide

Air pollution can drive people to kill themselves

The cause seems to be brain inflammation provoked by tiny, airborne particles

The golden dome of the Massachusetts State House and surrounding structures are partially obscured by the thick smoke that has descended on the city of Boston from the wildfires out West. The view is to the East towards Beacon Hill from a pedestrian overpass on Storrow Drive that includes vehicular traffic.

Polluted air is bad for your health. It increases the risk of strokes, heart disease and a list of respiratory illnesses. It is linked, as well, to low productivity at work and poor scores on academic tests. And pollution may have a yet-more-sinister effect. It may also promote suicide.

This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “Ill winds”

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