Air pollution leads to lower IQ levels among kids: Study

POLLUTION-KIDS
Air pollution can not only affect one's respiratory system, it can lead to lower IQ levels among kids, a new study claims.
According to the study carried out in New York City, five-year-olds who were exposed to higher levels of urban air pollutants known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) while in the womb exhibited an IQ four points lower than those subjected to less PAH.
The pollutants also negatively affected their vocabulary and reaction times, the study said.
"Alarmingly, the drop was similar to that seen in exposure to low levels of lead," said epidemiologist Frederica Perera, who led the study.
"These weren't even super impressively high levels of pollution" but the dip in IQ level was enough to affect school performance and scores on standardised tests, Perera said.
Most PAH pollutants -- black carbon and other particulate matter -- come from motor vehicle emissions, especially diesel- and gas-powered cars and trucks, and from the burning of coal.
Perera suggested that by limiting outdoor physical activity on smoggy days and adopting better policies on traffic congestion, we can reduce exposure to toxic chemicals.