A recent study presented at the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology shows that prenatal exposure to 2 kinds of air pollution is linked to lower IQ and more behavior problems at age 4-6 years old.
The study found that children with higher levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the third trimester had lower IQ at age 4-6 years. Researchers also found that each 2ppb increase in NO2 led to more behavior problems.
Additionally, both prenatal exposure to PM2.5 and exposure at age 2-4 years led to more behavior problems, and that children with higher PM2.5 exposure when they were 2-4 years old had lower IQ scores at age 4-6 years old.
The research was conducted by multiple Universities in many locations across the U.S. They used standard IQ tests and the Child Behavior Checklist to assess IQ and behavior problems.
This study adds to what we already know about air pollution and children’s health: both prenatal and early childhood exposure to air pollution hurts brain development in children, and the problems persist for years.
It shows that children really need clean air to be healthy and thrive and reach their true potential. Remembering that air pollution exposure is very unequal due to environmental racism and where our country build highways and industrial facilities, we need to be sure that any funding to lower air pollution needs to go to black and brown communities that often bear the brunt of polluting facilities.
#HealthyAirIsHealthCare
Read the scientific study here.
Read a news article about the study here.
10/5/2022
