Air pollution has shocking affect on brains of newborn babies, new study finds

The effect of air pollution on the brains of unborn babies persists as they grow up, a study has warned. Scientists took data from 4,000 participants from birth to adolescence.

The research team then estimated the children’s exposure to 14 different air pollutants during pregnancy and childhood, based on where the families lived.

They found exposure to PM2.5 – fine particles or droplets 2.5 microns across or smaller – and nitrogen oxides were associated with differences in the microstructure of the brain’s white matter. Nitrogen oxides, or NOx, can come from common sources including gas stoves and gas or wood heaters.

The Barcelona Institute for Global Health said: “Every increase in exposure level to air pollution corresponded to more than a five-month delay in the development of fractional anisotropy [a measure of how well brain tissue works].”

Monica Guxens, a researcher with the Institute, known as ISGlobal, added: “Even if the size of the effects were small, this can have a meaningful impact on a population scale.”

The Institute noted that the findings were present in children exposed to PM2.5 and less fine PM10 in concentrations above the WHO’s recommended maximum values but below levels the EU currently says are dangerous.

Ms Guxens added: “Our study provides support to the need for more stringent European guidelines on air pollution, which are expected to be approved soon by the European Parliament.”

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The ISGlobal team said the data, which was gathered from families in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, highlighted the importance of addressing air pollution as a public health issue.