Fossil Fuel Expansion: A Possible Threat to Brain Health

The recent decision to expand liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports marks aconsequential shift in U.S. energy policy, deepening fossil fuel reliance andintensifying environmental and public health risks. This policy not only acceleratesgreenhouse gas emissions but also exposes vulnerable populations to increased airpollution—a driver of cognitive decline, neurodegenerative diseases such asAlzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and developmental disorders including autism andADHD. LNG-related pollutants like PM2.5, NO₂, and methane penetrate biologicalsystems, crossing the blood-brain barrier and triggering neuroinflammation andoxidative stress. While framed as an economic strategy, fossil fuel expansion isprojected to escalate healthcare costs, workforce productivity losses, and caregiverburdens due to rising prevalence of pollution-related neurological diseases. Thisarticle outlines the biological mechanisms linking air pollution to brain health,highlights disparities in exposure, and critiques the long-term economicconsequences of energy policies that ignore public health science. It calls for anurgent reevaluation of fossil fuel strategies in favor of sustainable alternatives thatprioritize cognitive health and equity.