A new study by researchers from UC Davis has unveiled that outdoor air pollution, including levels considered safe by current standards, significantly impacts children’s brain development. The findings call for urgent policy changes to protect vulnerable populations.
Researchers from the University of California, Davis have published a compelling study that highlights an alarming connection between outdoor air pollution and differences in children’s brain development. The study, published in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, reviewed 40 empirical studies across four continents, revealing that even pollution levels below government standards can alter brain structures in children.
“We’re seeing differences in brain outcomes between children with higher levels of pollution exposure versus lower levels of pollution exposure,” corresponding author Camelia Hostinar, an associate professor of psychology at UC Davis, said in a news release.
The review analyzed data from studies across the United States, Mexico, Europe, Asia and Australia. These studies employed various methodologies, including MRI scans and chemical compound analysis, to examine changes in brain structure and function linked to air pollution. The outcomes showed notable differences in white matter volume, brain connectivity and early markers for Alzheimer’s disease.
Children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution due to their developing brains and bodies. They spend more time outdoors and absorb more contaminants relative to their body weight compared to adults.
“A lot of these studies include children in places with air pollutant levels that are well below limits set by U.S. or European regulations,”co-first author Anna Parenteau, a doctoral student in psychology at UC Davis, said in the news release.
The systematic review is pioneering as it focuses specifically on children, a group that is often overlooked in air pollution research. This distinction is crucial, given that brain development stages can significantly influence how air pollution impacts neurological outcomes.
“We can’t necessarily apply findings from adults and assume that it’s going to be the same for children,” co-author Johnna Swartz, an associate professor of human ecology, said in the news release. “We also have to look more at different developmental windows because that might be really important in terms of how air pollution might impact these brain outcomes.”
Experimental research on animals supports the findings, establishing a causal link between air pollution and changes in brain structure, including markers for Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers emphasize the urgent need for policy interventions to mitigate these adverse effects. They recommend practical measures, such as installing air purifiers in homes and schools, particularly those situated near high-traffic areas.
“We listed air purifiers as one of the policy recommendations, and that is something that could be subsidized or provided in schools and other places where children spend a lot of time,” added Hostinar. “These can be quite effective.”
Further, the study advocates for incorporating air pollution measures into broader health research to better understand its extensive effects.
“Anybody collecting data from human participants on brain outcomes or cardiovascular outcomes or anything else could easily add questions to assess air pollution exposure, such as obtaining their addresses,” co-first Sally Hang, a doctoral student in psychology, added.
As the world continues to grapple with environmental challenges, the insights from this UC Davis study serve as a critical call to action for parents, educators and policymakers. Addressing pollution’s impact on children’s brain health isn’t just about protecting our youth — it’s about safeguarding our future.