Air pollution is not just a problem for the lungs. Increasingly, research shows Air pollution can affect behavior problems in children and even IQ. A new study led by the University of Washington adds to evidence that exposure to air pollution both before and after birth can be harmful to babies.
Research, Published in Environmental Health Perspectivesfound that babies whose mothers experienced higher levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposed during pregnancy, especially during the first and third trimesters, are more likely to experience behavioral problems.
The researchers also reported that higher exposure to small particle air pollution (PM2.5) when children are 2 to 4 years old is associated with poorer cognitive and behavioral performance of children.
“Even in cities like Seattle or San Francisco, where there is a lot of traffic but pollution levels are still relatively low, we found that babies had higher NO levels before birth.2 exposure has more behavioral problems, especially with NO2 exposure during the first and second trimesters,” said Yu Nilead author and a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Environmental Science & Occupational Health.
The study included data collected from 1,967 mothers recruited during pregnancy from six cities: Memphis, Tennessee; Minneapolis; Rochester, NY; San Francisco; and two in Washington, Seattle and Yakima. Initially, these participants were enrolled as part of three separate studies: CANDLE, GAPPS and TIDE. The three studies have been combined in a major NIH initiative called ECHO, which brings together groups of multiples to address key child health concerns. These three combined groups are called ECHO PATHWAYS Coporation, group.
The study used a modern model of air pollution levels in the United States over time and space developed at the University of Washington. Using the participants’ address information, the researchers estimated each mother and child’s exposure during pregnancy and childhood.
Exposure to NO2 and PM2.5 Ni says pollution in early life is important to understand because “there are known biological mechanisms that may link maternal inhalation of these pollutants with effects on the placenta and fetal development.” fetal brain development”.
Furthermore, when the child is born, the researchers write that the first years are a critical time for the brain’s continued development as the number of neural connections explodes and the brain reaches 90% of its size. of future adults. In young children, inhaled pollutants that penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the central nervous system can cause damage in regions involved in behavioral and cognitive function.
“This study reinforces the unique vulnerability of children to air pollution – both during the fetal period where major organ development and function occurs, as well as in childhood when the that process continues. These early life disturbances can have lasting effects on lifelong brain function. Senior author of Dr. Catherine Karria professor at the UW School of Public Health and School of Medicine.
More specifically, the researchers found that exposure to PM2.5 pollution is generally more associated with behavioral problems in girls than boys, and the adverse effects of PM2.5 Second-trimester exposure on IQ in boys was stronger.
“We hope the evidence from this study will contribute to future policy making,” said Ni. “In terms of reducing air pollution, the US has come a long way under the Clean Air Act, but there are threats to the nation’s continued improvement in air quality. The evidence shows there is reason to lower air pollution levels even further as we better understand the vulnerability of pregnant women and children.”
Source: University of Washington
