Improvements in air pollution are linked to better mental development in toddlers, according to a new study from Columbia University in New York. The research, conducted by Professor Frederica Perera and a team from the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, spanned over two decades.
The study measured air pollution exposure in pregnant women and the subsequent development of their children in northern Manhattan and the South Bronx. More than 1,100 children were assessed at ages one, two, and three, examining cognitive processing, problem-solving, and communication skills.
During the study period, air pollution in central New York significantly improved, with some pollutants from yellow taxis reduced by up to 80%. Fine particle pollution and nitrogen dioxide levels halved between 1998 and 2016. Researchers observed that toddlers' cognitive scores improved as air pollution decreased, especially at two and three years old and during periods of sharper falls in pollution.
The study also considered other factors that could influence children's development, such as a decline in children living with a tobacco smoker and an increase in maternal education. Despite the observed improvements, Perera cautioned that current air pollution levels cannot be concluded as safe for the neurodevelopment of all children.