This week we have a real-world example of how the Clean Air Act really improves children’s health. Policies that reduce air pollution have made major improvements in children’s mental development in New York City.
Researchers at Columbia University have a new study out. The study shows that as the Clean Air Act cleaned up our air, young children’s mental development in New York City improved.
The study shows that between 1998 and 2016, levels of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and fine particle pollution (PM2.5, also known as soot) went down about 30% each. By age 3, children’s mental development scores went up by 26%. Mental development scores at age 1 and 2 also went up. Statistically, these results were very strong, with a p value <0.001. (Most scientific papers look for a p value < 0.05, these results are much stronger than that.)
The researchers note that the results of this study show that “policies to reduce fossil fuel-related emissions are beneficial to children’s health and development and support strengthening of policies to protect children’s developing brains.”
Policies that New York City put in place include cleaner taxis, cleaner municipal buses, phasing out fuel oil for heating, and the Climate Mobilization Act. The Climate Mobilization Act requires mid- or large-sized buildings to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions also reduced air pollution. Other national policies about power plants and acid rain likely also helped improve air quality.
Researchers were able to adjust for household smoking, maternal education, gestational age and other factors that could influence mental development. This means the researchers are sure that the results are due to air pollution and not other factors.
We think this is really great news! It’s another scientific study showing that cleaning up the air really improves children’s health. Cleaner air means all children can thrive and be healthy.
Read the news story from Columbia University here.
Read the scientific study here. Look at the 2 figures, air pollution and child development. They’re really amazing!
08-31-2026 AKMB