In many cities, the air is heavily polluted by particles, gases, and industrial chemicals — yet those substances may not even be the worst of the offenders.

Several studies have shown that in many areas, even within large cities, the air contains LPS, which comes from the cell walls of gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli.

It is found in open fill waste areas, wastewater treatment plants, open sewer channels, and biosolid landfills. (Biosolids are organic materials resulting from the treatment of domestic sewage.)

When LPS molecules are mixed with air pollution particles, they can enter the nasal passages, bronchi, and lungs, and eventually the bloodstream, triggering intense immune activation and subsequent inflammation in the brain and throughout the body.

Interestingly, LPS is added to many vaccines to stimulate the immune system. This means that the LPS in air pollution could dramatically worsen complications associated with vaccines.

Studies have also shown that exposure of newborn animals to pesticides can condition their brains to overreact to LPS vaccinations later in life.