Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Man Tries to Order Priciest Starbucks Drink Ever Total cost: $23.60 »

Pollution During Pregnancy Makes Kids Dumber: Study

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 23, 2009 10:45 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Smog might be just as bad for your brain as it is for your lungs, a study finds. Researchers monitored the air pollution 249 mothers were exposed to during pregnancy, then monitored their children. They found that high pollution levels corresponded to a four-point drop in the kids’ IQ scores by age 5, Time reports.

The relationship holds even when other factors—including exposure to lead, pesticides, secondhand smoke, and the mother’s level of education—are taken into account. “It’s surprising the effects are so persistent,” said one epidemiologist. The reason for the difference is less clear, though the study’s lead author hypothesizes that the pollutants could cause genetic damage, and notes that fetal brains are especially vulnerable to neurotoxic chemicals.

Ilkania Matos wears a backpack air monitor while participating the study tracking urban air pollution's affect on the developing brain.
Ilkania Matos wears a backpack air monitor while participating the study tracking urban air pollution's affect on the developing brain.   (AP Photo)
Exhaust billows out of a car tailpipe.
Exhaust billows out of a car tailpipe.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
Mr.C
Jul 23, 2009 6:39 AM CDT
heck I went to St Patrick's day parade in South Korea put on by the Irish Association of SK
godawgs
Jul 23, 2009 6:18 AM CDT
sorry i couldn't think of anything funny to say....how the hell are you Irish in HI?
kokuaguy
Jul 23, 2009 4:44 AM CDT
Great food for thought, here, folks. Dawg my post was going to be almost exactly what you said. Mine would have been funnier, of course !!!Can't help being Irish. ; ^)

 
pregnancy • child development • air pollution • IQ tests

More Newser Stories

Pesticide Exposure in Womb May Lower IQ

Pregnant Women in 50s Do Just Fine

Nurturing Moms Help Kids' Brains Grow

US Home Births Up 29%

China's Air Quality Data Suspiciously Sunny
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne