Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, UK; Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Medical Sciences Division, Wadham College, University of Oxford, UK; World Psychiatric Association Collaborating Centre, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, UK; East London Foundation NHS Trust, UK; and Oxford Health NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, UK
Joanne B. Newbury
Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK; and MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK; and ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King's College London, UK
Marcella Ucci
UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, University College London, UK
Zaheer A. Nasir
School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, UK
Briony Turner
National Centre for Earth Observation, Department of Meteorology, University of Reading, UK
Catherine O'Leary
National Centre for Earth Observation, Department of Meteorology, University of Reading, UK
Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK; and ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King's College London, UK
Emma Marczylo
Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, UK Health Security Agency, UK; and Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, UK
Philippa Douglas
Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, UK Health Security Agency, UK; Environment Agency, UK; Chief Scientist's Group, Environment Agency, UK; and Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, UK
Centre for Psychiatry, Barts & The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, UK
Simon K. Jackson
School of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Plymouth, UK
Sean Tyrrel
School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, UK
Andrey Rzhetsky
Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, USA; Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago, USA; and Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology, The University of Chicago, USA
Rob Kinnersley
Chief Scientist's Group, Environmental Agency, UK
Prashant Kumar
Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), School of Sustainability, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, UK
Caroline Duchaine
Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, Université Laval, Canada; and Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, Université Laval, Canada
Background Poor air quality is associated with poor health. Little attention is given to the complex array of environmental exposures and air pollutants that affect mental health during the life course. Aims We gather interdisciplinary expertise and knowledge across the air pollution and mental health fields. We seek to propose future research priorities and how to address them. Method Through a rapid narrative review, we summarise the key scientific findings, knowledge gaps and methodological challenges. Results There is emerging evidence of associations between poor air quality, both indoors and outdoors, and poor mental health more generally, as well as specific mental disorders. Furthermore, pre-existing long-term conditions appear to deteriorate, requiring more healthcare. Evidence of critical periods for exposure among children and adolescents highlights the need for more longitudinal data as the basis of early preventive actions and policies. Particulate matter, including bioaerosols, are implicated, but form part of a complex exposome influenced by geography, deprivation, socioeconomic conditions and biological and individual vulnerabilities. Critical knowledge gaps need to be addressed to design interventions for mitigation and prevention, reflecting ever-changing sources of air pollution. The evidence base can inform and motivate multi-sector and interdisciplinary efforts of researchers, practitioners, policy makers, industry, community groups and campaigners to take informed action. Conclusions There are knowledge gaps and a need for more research, for example, around bioaerosols exposure, indoor and outdoor pollution, urban design and impact on mental health over the life course.
