It's not unusual for people to criticise the idea of Clean Transport Zones when city mayors announce their introduction. Some argue that their right to free movement is being restricted, claiming that anyone should be able to drive into the city without limitations.

However, they may not be aware that city mayors usually make such decisions with the health of residents in mind. Recent research has shown that standing in traffic jams and inhaling diesel fumes can harm our brain function. Therefore, introducing Clean Transport Zones, such as those implemented in cities like Krakow, Wroclaw, and Warsaw, is a necessary step towards improving the health and well-being of residents.

A recent study published in the journal Environmental Health by a team of researchers from the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria in Canada aimed to investigate the impact of diesel exhaust on human health. The researchers conducted MRI scans on 25 individuals aged between 19 and 49 years in a laboratory setting for two hours to see how the exhaust fumes affected their brains.

The study found that individuals exposed to diesel exhaust fumes interfered with their brain's cognitive functions and memory areas. The brain areas of the participants who were not in a filtered room showed difficulties with organ function. However, after the study, the participants' brain condition returned to normal, and the changes observed by the researchers were temporary.

It is important to note that the areas of the brain affected by exhaust fumes are linked to depression, as pointed out by Canadian researchers.

"For many decades, scientists believed that the brain was protected from the harmful effects of air pollution. While more research is needed to understand the functional impacts of these changes fully, it’s possible that they may impair people’s thinking or ability to work," said the scientists conducting the study.

The recent discovery made by researchers is being celebrated as a significant breakthrough. Still, it is important to note that they have stressed the need for further research to determine how car exhaust affects people's cognitive abilities and work efficiency. It is also worth remembering that previous studies by scientists have demonstrated that smog, also linked to car engines, can affect the development of specific brain regions in children.

This highlights the significance of having Clean Transport Zones in our cities, which ban old diesel engine cars from entering. Reducing the number of such vehicles in our cities can ensure cleaner air and reduce our exposure to harmful exhaust fumes, which can help protect our brains from damage.

"People may want to think twice the next time they’re stuck in traffic with the windows rolled down," said Dr Chris Carlsten, responsible for the study.

Source: Daily Mail