Air Pollution and Neurodevelopment: How Prenatal Exposures May Impact IQ
1:00 pm US Eastern Time
Slides & Resources
Presenter PowerPoint Presentations
Frederica Perera's slides (PDF)
Frederica Perera's Research and Resources
Pediatrics: Prenatal Airborne Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Exposure and Child I.Q. at Age 5 Years
Environmental Health Perspectives:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons-Aromatic DNA Adducts in Cord Blood Behavior Score in New York City Children
Time: Study Links Exposure to Pollution with Lower I.Q.
Cost of Developmental Delay from Prenatal Exposure to Airborne Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health's offers a resource page on air pollution and children's health
Heather Volk's Research
December 16, 2010Researcher from Children's Hospital Los Angeles and USC Finds Proximity to Freeway is Associated with Autism
Read the full study published in Environmental Health Perspectives
Additional Iformation and Resources
Ohio State University Progressive Radio Network: Air Pollution Linked to Learning and Memory Problems, Depression
Open Letter to President Obama from nursing organizations regarding air pollution and health (PDF)
USA Today: Pesticide Exposure in Womb Linked to Low I.Q.
Chron.com: Texas Latinos Face Greater Health Risks from Pollution-Related Diseases
Air pollution is most often seen as a contributor to children’s asthma and other respiratory problems. Emerging research, however, suggests that air pollution is linked to neurodevelopment concerns as well. Studies recently published in Pediatrics and Environmental Health Perspectives, in fact, found lower IQ levels in the children of mothers who were exposed during pregnancy to an array of pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organophosphate pesticides. Given school is back in session, how a child performs on IQ tests and other exams is a heightened concern for parents and school administrators. This research suggests that some kids may have a more challenging time reaching their full potential because of these early life exposures to air pollutantants. On this call, leading researchers discussed their recent findings as well as the potential implications for children’s neurodevelopment.
Featured Speakers
Frederica Perera, DrPH, Director, Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health and professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
Heather Volk, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Research, Departments of Preventative Medicine and Pediatrics, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California
The call was moderated by Elise Miller MEd, Director, CHE.
