The researchers exposed healthy mice and those genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s to fine particles of iron, magnetite, and diesel hydrocarbons over four months. They found that magnetite induced the most consistent Alzheimer’s disease symptoms, including the loss of neuronal cells in an area of the brain crucial for memory and in an area that processes sensations from the body.
Magnetite as an Air Pollutant
Magnetite is a common air pollutant that comes from high-temperature combustion processes like vehicle exhaust, wood fires, and coal-fired power stations, as well as from brake pad friction and engine wear. When inhaled, these particles can enter the brain via the lining of the nasal passage and bypass the blood-brain barrier, potentially causing health problems.