Pollution 'alters brain function'
Exposure to exhaust fumes appears to affect the way our brains function, Dutch research suggests.
Ref. https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7288176.stm
One of the main gasses in exhaust is carbon monoxide. Breathing that in can rob your body of the needed oxygen it needs. This in turns decreases the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain. The brain with little oxygen can not function properly and if it continues for a long term decreased brain oxygen can lead to some brain cells dying thus a much decreased functions of the brain. At least that is how I see it.
There was a warning of this years ago, featuring the fact that your brain functioning slows down, and it can bring on severe headaches.
I was always very wary about pushing a pushchair with a child in it near cars that were static whilst the engine was running, as children would be at the same level as the fumes coming out of the cars exhaust!