According to the estimates by World Health Organisation (WHO) more than 20 million people around the world suffer from Schizophrenia. A Schizophrenia patient suffers from hallucinations, disordered thinking, persistent false beliefs and emotional disconnect. He or she is also prone to premature death compared to normal person.

Even though the disease is quite rampant, scientists and researchers are still struggling to pin point its exact cause. A study undertaken at Aarhus University in Denmark has revealed that, besides other probable causes like genetic makeup and environmental factors such as social isolation and substance abuse; exposure to air pollution during childhood may also be responsible for the condition.

After analysing the data of 23,355 Schizophrenia patients, the researchers concluded that individuals who were exposed to high levels of air pollution in their growing up years, had an increased risk of developing Schizophrenia in adulthood.

Statistically, the study stated that for each 10 micrograms per cubic meter – concentration of nitrogen dioxide in the air – of increase in the daily average, the risk of Schizophrenia increases by approximately 20%.