Air pollution could impair a child's brain development, study finds

Air pollution could impact the brain development of children and not just damage their lungs, new research has shown.

Long term exposure to poor air quality has been closely linked to poor cognitive development in an evaluation of the impact on children aged 6 to 8 in the state of Odisha, India.

Findings from the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) were shared at the World Lung Health conference in Copenhagen, and showed children living in highly polluted areas scored 20 IQ points lower than others living in cleaner environments.

Scientists examined the impact of exposure to ambient air pollution due to particulate matter.

The research looked at the damage of PM2.5 pollutants on children, which are tiny particles from sources like dust, soot, and smoke.

While the effects of exposure to ambient air pollution is well-documented in lung and cardiovascular health; this latest research gleaned from a study in December 2022 showed potential to disrupt early cognitive development.

Children under six living within 1.5km of an air quality monitoring station were assessed in a verbal and performance IQ test.

A verbal IQ test measures abilities like vocabulary, comprehension, and verbal reasoning through written or spoken questions, while a performance IQ test assesses non-verbal skills like spatial processing, visual-motor co-ordination, and problem-solving through practical, hands-on tasks.

“The burden of air pollution and climate change on health is one which sadly continues to grow,” said Professor Guy Marks, president of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.

“The impact of air pollution on childhood development is an unacceptable consequence of climate change. New strategies are urgently needed globally to ensure no one’s future is limited simply because of the air they breathe.”

Lower IQ

Results of the Indian study showed full-scale IQ in high-pollution areas was 80.33 compared to 98.12 in low-pollution areas. Meanwhile, children from high pollution areas had a verbal IQ of 81.60 and a performance IQ of 79.02, compared to 99.68 and 96.55 in low-pollution areas, respectively.

The findings indicate long-term exposure to air pollution is closely linked to poorer cognitive development in children.

Age and weight of the child, poor kitchen ventilation, maternal education, and family income were also associated with full-scale IQ.

On Wednesday, PM2.5 concentration in Dubai was 4.8 times the World Health Organisation annual guideline value, a common occurrence in the UAE.

The country is vulnerable to an increase in PM concentrations, driven by regional