Fine particulate air pollution is harmful to children in myriad ways. While evidence ismounting that chronic exposures are associated with reduced academic proficiency, no research hasexamined the frequency of peak exposures. It is also unknown if pollution exposures influenceacademic proficiency to the same degree in all schools or if the level of children’s social disadvantagein schools modifies the effects, such that some schools’ academic proficiency levels are more sensitiveto exposures. We address these gaps by examining the percentage of third grade students who testedbelow the grade level in math and English language arts (ELA) in Salt Lake County, Utah primaryschools (n=156), where fine particulate pollution is a serious health threat. More frequent peakexposures were associated with reduced math and ELA proficiency, as was greater school disadvantage.High frequency peak exposures were more strongly linked to lower math proficiency in moreadvantaged schools. Findings highlight the need for policies to reduce the number of days with peakair pollution.

Published Sep 22, 2020

Mullen, Casey, et al. “Effects of PM2.5 on Third Grade Students’ Proficiency in Math and English Language Arts.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 17, no. 18, 2020, p. 6931., doi:10.3390/ijerph17186931.