Pollution lowers IQ

Investing in public transportation and fuel efficient vehicles will protect the IQs of children

By Karla Jollie - Special to The Herald

Some of the effects of man-made pollution on the environment are theoretical. Others are bolstered by evidence that is discernible only by sensitive and complicated scientific instruments.

But some effects hit us right where we live. The recent finding that air pollution exposure before birth will lower IQ scores in childhood appears to be one of those cases.

Scientists conducted a study in New York City where urban pollution from car, bus and truck exhaust is heavy. The researchers tracked 249 children of women who wore backpack air monitors for 48 hours during the last few moths of pregnancy.

The women live in mostly low-income neighborhoods in northern Manhattan and the South Bronx, where smog often is higher. Their children were given IQ tests before they started school.

Those who were exposed to the most pollution before birth scored on average four to five points lower than children with less exposure.

Experts say that is a big enough difference that it could affect children's performance in school. Along with other environmental harms and disadvantages low-income children are exposed to, it could help explain why they often do worse academically than children from wealthier families.

The results also seem to indicate that there may be more dangers from typical urban air pollution than previously thought. Exposure to air pollution before birth could have the same harmful effects on the developing brain as exposure to lead, said one specialist.

This could rank as devastating news for parents — and prospective parents — living in urban areas where exposure to vehicle exhaust fumes, industrial pollution and other forms of air pollution is high. Imagine knowing you might be harming your fetus simply be living in the city.

But most pregnant women can't just pull up roots and move to the country for nine months. The answer is not to transport prospective mothers to less polluted sites but to work harder to clean up urban air.

Skeptics wonder why the United States should invest in efforts to increase the availability and use of public transportation, why we should seek cleaner fuel alternatives and vehicles that emit fewer toxic gases.

Protecting the IQs of young children is one good reason.