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Modern Geomatics Technologies and Applications

Identifying the impact of exposure to air pollution on the brain structure of people at risk for AD through MRI data shows
that, air pollutants cause neuropathological and neuroanatomical changes in the brain structure and damage to the prefrontal
cortex [23], as changes in the volume of gray matter and white matter in certain areas of the brain associated with AD and
dementia [39]. Even short-term exposure to high levels of PM pollutant alters the brain inflammatory responses, which is an
important factor in the progression of AD and dementia [40,41]. It also increases amyloid beta plaques in cerebrospinal fluid,
which is one of the most important biomarkers of AD [42,43].
Air pollution is one of the most important challenges in the field of urban management in Tehran due to rapid population
growth, industrialization, increase in personal vehicles and limitations of public transportation [44]. According to the Tehran Air
Quality Control Company (AQCC), in recent years, particulate matter (PM) pollutants with a diameter of less than 2.5 (PM 2.5)
and 10 microns (PM 10) have been the most significant air pollutants in the city [45]. Due to the high population growth rate in
this city and the undeniable impacts of these pollutants as environmental risk factors on cognitive disorders, especially AD for
people who are at risk due to family history, genetic factors or other diseases, and knowing the irreversible effects of these
diseases on the physical and mental health of patients and caregivers, informing about the spatial distribution of pollutants in the
city makes it possible to take appropriate actions to reduce the risks of disease progression.
The aim of this paper is to investigate the identification of high-risk areas in Tehran with high concentrations of PM10 and
PM2.5 pollutants, as the most important environmental risk factors for mental health, in order to inform people at risk to avoid
residing in such air-polluted areas.

2. Study area
This study was undertaken in Tehran (Figure 1), with a Longitude of 51 degrees and 5 minutes East to 51 degrees and 53
minutes East, and a Latitude of 35 degrees and 34 minutes North to 35 degrees and 59 minutes North with a population of nearly
12 million people, which accounts for about 12% of the total population of the country. Due to the fact that Tehran has a special
geographical situation because of high altitude difference in the north and south, it has unfavourable urban topographic
conditions which may affect air pollution concentration at several days especially during Fall and Winter sessions. Vehicle traffic
during the day and westerly winds, which bring factory fumes and other pollutants into the city, have caused unfavourable
environmental conditions and air pollution with toxic gases [46].

Fig. 1. The study area [47]
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