Polluted air can significantly impair concentration abilities, new study finds
Spanish researchers investigated the link between air pollution and children's ability to focus. The study confirmed the harmful effects of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on brain development.
A recent study conducted by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) found that air pollution negatively impacts children's attention span. The study revealed that children aged between four and eight who are exposed to nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a pollutant mainly emitted by traffic, are more likely to have a poorer attention span. The research also concluded that this is particularly true for boys.
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Researchers linked air pollution to concentration problems
The study published in the scientific journal Environment International highlights the detrimental impact of air pollution on brain development during pregnancy and childhood. Conducted across four regions in Spain, the research involved more than 1,700 women and their children. Researchers calculated daily exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) throughout pregnancy and the first six years of a child's life, taking into account the family's home address.
According to Euronews, researchers evaluated the attentional function of children aged 4-6 and 6-8, i.e., their ability to choose what to focus on and what to ignore. Using computer tests, they also examined their working memory, which is the ability to temporarily store information. The study found that children exposed to higher levels of NO2 are more likely to have poorer attentional function at 4-6 years old. The link between air pollution and attention span persisted in boys aged 6-8.
Air pollution affects brain development
The development of our brain's executive functions relies on attentional functions, which control actions, thoughts, and emotions to achieve our goals.
"The prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain responsible for executive functions, develops slowly, and it is still maturing during pregnancy and childhood," Dr Anne-Claire Binter, one of the study’s authors, explained.
The study highlights yet another reason to shift towards decarbonising our transportation systems. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), air pollution is responsible for the deaths of over 1,200 children and adolescents annually in Europe. Though this figure may seem low compared to the overall number of air pollution-related fatalities - which experts estimate at 311,000 for 2020 - it is still a significant concern.
Source: euronews.com
