Can Poor Air Quality Worsen Anxiety and Mental Health
Posted in Air Quality, on April 23, 2025
Unpleasant or strange smells are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to indoor air quality problems. In fact, smells are the least of our concerns at SafeAir — the majority of what we sense during air quality testing in Toronto has no smell, is invisible, and leaves little to no physical trace. The consequences that indoor air quality pollution can have on our physical and mental health, however, can be enormous. In this article, we’ll share how poor indoor air quality can contribute to physical and mental health issues like anxiety — and what you can do to reduce your risks.
How Poor Air Quality Affects the Brain
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The air we breathe is critical fuel for our bodies and brains. When we’re in an environment affected by pollution, these systems can’t run as smoothly, and various symptoms or effects become apparent. A good example is the experience of sneezing when near an allergen — this is a physical response to an irritant in the nasal passage.
The effect isn’t always as dramatic as a sneeze, however. Pollution like VOCs, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter may not cause dramatic physical symptoms, even as they cause changes to our brain’s ability to function. A study out of Harvard Medical School found that a reduction in ventilation resulted in slower responses and reduced accuracy on cognitive tests in office workers. Air quality pollution can reduce oxygen levels, affect neurotransmitters, mood regulation, and overall mental health, as well as physiological stress.
The Link Between Air Quality and Anxiety
While new research is constantly underway, there are compelling reports that link increased anxiety to air quality. In one systematic review, 95% of articles looking at air pollution reported significant findings of neurostructural and neurofunctional effects, suggesting that increased depression and anxiety symptoms may be caused, in part, by air quality. Studies all agree that it’s common pollutants like CO2, dust, particulates, and mold spores that are major contributors and that people with pre-existing conditions may be at greater risk.
A tremendous amount of research still needs to be done on the mechanisms and processes behind these effects. At SafeAir, we recognize that indoor air quality is a complex environment that needs a tailored and individual approach.
Other Mental Health Effects of Poor Air Quality
Health is a complex issue that can be affected by cultural and social factors as well as the environment. Navigating all of these layers can be a challenging problem for homeowners who are feeling the effects of air quality pollution. Some of the other mental health effects of living with poor air quality include:
- Increased stress or irritability.
- Difficulty concentrating due to poor air quality.
- Long-term health risks from exposure to environmental toxins.
- Depression.
- Cognitive decline.
How to Improve Indoor Air Quality For Better Mental Health
When it comes to improving your mental health, there are many strategies that your doctor can recommend and support you with. Closer to home, the SafeAir team can help you ensure your home is a safe and healthy environment that actively supports your recovery, not hindering it.
One way that indoor air quality testing can help is by reducing subtle environmental stressors that prevent relaxation and restorative sleep. Homes that suffer from reduced ventilation, high dust loads or mold spores, for example, will cause occupants to have airway restrictions, like stuffed noses or congestion. While it may be more annoying than alarming, the long-term effect of this congestion can slowly chip away at sleep and prevent people from fully relaxing.
In this situation, we may recommend using a HEPA air purifier to reduce allergens, mold, and dust. Air purifiers also help move air; dead, stagnant air encourages pollution to linger and results in bad smells. We may also suggest using a dehumidifier if mold is a problem or monitoring humidity to increase indoor comfort and promote deeper, healthier rest.
The Complex Relationship Between Indoor Air Quality and Health
For over a decade, SafeAir has been helping Ontarians breathe more easily at home. We use science-led methodologies and protocols to look at your home’s indoor air environment so that our recommendations and treatments are based on actions that have tangible outcomes.We recommend air quality testing in Toronto for families who are interested in improving their mental or physical health, as well as those with children, elders, or chronic health conditions. Everyone will benefit from reducing indoor air quality pollution! To learn more about air quality testing or ask us more about this article, call or email the SafeAir team.