A recent study conducted by the University of Southern California (USC) involving 8,500 children has uncovered a concerning link between air pollution and poor learning and memory performance in 9 and 10-year-olds. The study focused on a specific component of fine particle air pollution known as PM2.5, with a particular emphasis on ammonium nitrate, a compound formed when ammonia gas and nitric acid react in the atmosphere. These compounds are primarily produced by agricultural activities and fossil fuel combustion.
The research, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, sheds light on the potential long-term neurocognitive effects of PM2.5 exposure across the lifespan. Lead author Megan Herting, an associate professor at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, emphasized the importance of understanding the sources and chemical components of particulate matter in order to inform air quality regulations and mitigate the risks associated with air pollution.
Herting’s study utilized data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (ABCD), the largest brain study in America, to investigate the impact of PM2.5 on brain development. PM2.5, a mixture of dust, soot, organic compounds, and metals with particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, posing serious health risks.
While fossil fuel combustion is a major source of PM2.5, other contributors include wildfires, agriculture, marine aerosols, and chemical reactions. The study found that exposure to specific chemical components of PM2.5, such as the ammonium nitrate produced by agricultural operations, was significantly associated with poorer learning and memory outcomes in children.
The researchers plan to further investigate how these chemical mixtures and sources of PM2.5 may impact individual differences in brain development during childhood and adolescence. By understanding the nuances of air pollution and its effects on cognitive function, policymakers can implement targeted interventions to protect public health.
For more information on this study, readers can refer to the publication in Environmental Health Perspectives by Kirthana Sukumaran et al. (DOI: 10.1289/EHP14418). This groundbreaking research underscores the importance of addressing air pollution sources and components to safeguard cognitive health in children and adults alike.
