Even 'safe' levels of pollution can slow down brain growth in kids

(Representational image)

New Delhi: The dangers of being exposed to air pollution have been emphasized by numerous studies, so much so, that we are now well-versed with what we are putting ourselves at risk of.

With air pollution gradually taking center-stage as the primary health concern at present, many studies have put forward its various negative impacts.

The fact remains that pollution – even at safe levels – can be harmful. Highlighting the same, a study has said that babies exposed to even "safe" levels of air pollution in the womb may be at an increased risk of having brain abnormalities that can contribute to impaired cognitive function by school-age.

According to the European Union, 25 µg/m3 is the safe level of fine particle.

Previous studies have linked acceptable air pollution levels with impact on lungs, heart, and other organs including cognitive decline and foetal growth development.

However, the new study showed that air pollution levels related to brain alterations in the foetal brain, which is in developing stages and has no mechanisms to protect against or remove environmental toxins, were below those considered to be safe.

"We observed brain development effects in relationship to fine particles levels below the current EU limit," said lead author Monica Guxens, MD, of Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) in Spain.

The findings showed that exposure to fine particles during foetal life was associated with a thinner outer layer of the brain, called the cortex, in several regions.

These brain abnormalities contribute in part to difficulty with inhibitory control – the ability to regulate self-control over temptations and impulsive behaviour – which is related to mental health problems such as addictive behaviour and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

"The observed cognitive delays at early ages could have significant long-term consequences such as increased risk of mental health disorders and low academic achievement, in particular, due to the ubiquity of the exposure," Guxens said.

"Therefore, we cannot warrant the safety of the current levels of air pollution in our cities," he added.

For the study, published in Biological Psychiatry, the team assessed air pollution levels, including levels of nitrogen dioxide – a prominent air pollutant caused by traffic and cigarette smoking – coarse particles, and fine particles, at home during the foetal life of 783 children.

Brain imaging performed when the children were between six and 10 years old revealed abnormalities in the thickness of the brain cortex of the precuneus and rostral middle frontal region.

(With IANS inputs)