Air pollution linked to higher suicide risk, research suggests

A systematic review and meta-analysis led by Queen's University Belfast, published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health (September 2026), pooled results from 29 studies (drawn from 45 total, covering 2010–April 2024) and found statistically significant associations between short-term exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 and long-term exposure to PM2.5 and NO₂ with death by suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation. Narrative analysis of 16 further studies also suggested links to sulfur dioxide, ozone, and noise pollution. Researchers proposed neurological mechanisms including chronic inflammation and neurotoxicity. They cautioned the findings do not establish causality and called for environmental exposures to be treated as modifiable risk factors in suicide prevention.