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22 July 2009
Mother’s exposure to air pollutants can affect child's IQ 
A mother's exposure to urban air pollutants known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can adversely affect a child's intelligence quotient, a new study has found. PAHs are chemicals released into the air from the burning of coal, diesel, oil and gas. Motor vehicles are a major source of PAHs. The study, funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), found that children exposed to high levels of PAHs in New York City had full scale and verbal IQ scores that were nearly 5 points lower than those of less exposed children. "This research clearly shows that environmental PAHs at levels encountered in an urban setting can adversely affect a child's IQ," said Linda Birnbaum, director of NIEHS. "This is the first study to report an association between PAH exposure and IQ, and it should serve as a warning bell to us all. We need to do more to prevent environmental exposures from harming our children."
The study included children who were born to non-smoking black and Dominican-American women age 18 to 35 who resided in Washington Heights, Harlem or the South Bronx in New York. The children were followed from utero to 5 years of age. "The decrease in full-scale IQ score among the more exposed children is similar to that seen with low-level lead exposure," said study author Frederica P. Perera. "This finding is of concern. IQ is an important predictor of future academic performance, and PAHs are widespread in urban environments and throughout the world." Related:
Pollution A Factor In Low Birth Weight?
ADHD Linked To Third-Hand Smoke Exposure
Pollutants Linked To Chromosome Damage In Babies
Source: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
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