Overview

• Researchers found a strong correlation between dust exposure levels and early-onset dementia among responders.
• The study tracked the cognitive health of over 5,000 responders from 2014 to 2022.
• Those with the highest dust exposure were up to 42 times more likely to develop dementia before age 65.
• Protective personal equipment use was linked to lower dementia risk.
• Findings underscore the importance of PPE in mitigating long-term health risks in disaster response scenarios.