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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Pollution During Pregnancy Makes Kids Dumber: Study

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(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)
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godawgs
Jul 23, 09 10:54 AM CDT
Where was this study done? I thought we were so far behind the Chinese and Indian kids in terms of education, but they have some of the highest pollution rates in the world. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
IndependentThinker
Jul 23, 09 11:13 AM CDT
You shouldn't compare our system to China. China doesn't have a mandatory 12 years of school like we do. The smart kids move on and the dub ones get booted and work in Wal-Mart factories. But yes you are right, their metrics vs ours = them on top. Remember we have to educate everyone that comes to school. English speaking or not, legal or illegal. I am sure our metrics would far exceed both Chain and India if we removed all the students that received anything lower than a B or C from all classes.
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IN RESPONSE:
SomeGuyInNC
Jul 23, 09 4:56 PM CDT
You are very right, godawg, the real problem now with dumber kids is our education system.
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IN RESPONSE:
SomeGuyInNC
Jul 23, 09 5:00 PM CDT
In Response to Independent Thinker... At one point and time, your ancestors came to this country and may have been illegal and non-english speaking. Do you think they were stupid too? Chinese and Indian children are non-english speaking also but they are taught english. Do you think it makes them dumber. Independent thinker, you are thinking too much or not enough.
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PosterNutbag
Jul 23, 09 11:23 AM CDT
More dumb voters in the long run, this is great news for republicans that vote against stricter air pollution regulations. The research forgot to take into account dietary factors--i.e. the almost total absence of grass-fed protein sources and the subsequent lack of omegas going to the brain. Dumb and getting dumber. Reply
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