Environment & Energy

Judi Lynn

(162,542 posts) Wed Oct 2, 2024, 08:29 AM Oct 2

Air pollution linked to brain changes in children

University of California - Davis
Oct 1 2024

Outdoor air pollution from power plants, fires and cars continues to degrade human, animal and environmental health around the globe. New research shows that even pollution levels that are below government air-quality standards are associated with differences in children's brains.

A University of California, Davis, research team systematically analyzed 40 empirical studies, the majority of which had found that outdoor air pollution is associated with differences in children's brains. These differences include volumes of white matter, which is associated with cognitive function, connections throughout the brain and even early markers for Alzheimer's.

The study, "Clearing the Air: A systematic review of studies on air pollution and childhood brain outcomes to mobilize policy change," was published this month in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience.

We're seeing differences in brain outcomes between children with higher levels of pollution exposure versus lower levels of pollution exposure."

Camelia Hostinar, associate professor of psychology and study's corresponding author

Children and teens are especially vulnerable to air pollution because their brains and bodies are still developing. They tend to spend more time outdoors, and their bodies absorb more contaminants relative to their bodyweight than adults, researchers said.

More:
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20241001/Air-pollution-linked-to-brain-changes-in-children.aspx

2 replies

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Air pollution linked to brain changes in children (Original Post) Judi Lynn Oct 2 OP

This is why I think dems need to talk about climate in part by bringing it down to the granular level. Tadpole Raisin Oct 2 #1

This is good Lulu KC Oct 2 #2

Tadpole Raisin

(1,561 posts)

1. This is why I think dems need to talk about climate in part by bringing it down to the granular level.

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Wed Oct 2, 2024, 08:54 AM

Oct 2

For those whose brains shut down and get defiant and defensive, you’re not going to win them over by discussing things in the global context.
It blows my mind but they can’t or won’t think that way.

But talk about kids and pollution and you have an opening to get their attention. There is far more asthma in kids now then there was when I was growing up and any parent is acutely aware of the potential consequences of an asthma attack as well as the fear and sense of helplessness in not being able to fix the problem.

Bring global warming discussions down to the level that gets their attention - the health of their kids, themselves, and their community. Climate change is not an abstract concept.

And just like with guns, if it brings corporations more profit, republicans are very willing to sacrifice children as a cost of doing business, their so called ‘unfortunate but necessary reality.’

NO IT ISN’T!!

Lulu KC

(5,015 posts)

2. This is good

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Wed Oct 2, 2024, 09:14 AM

Oct 2

Very good research, very good that it's being released, thank you for posting, but again I sit here thinking, "No shit, Sherlock!" Has it already affected adult brains to the point where they can't understand the entire concept? Again and still?
Mini-rant over. Hold your applause.

Sigh.

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