The New York Daily News is reporting on a study by the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health (CCCEH) that seems to point to an association between in-utero (in the womb) exposure to smog and other air contaminants and their IQ (intelligence coefficient). The study was conducted over five years in a cohort (controlled group) of mothers in New York City. The mothers wore backpack monitors to measure the levels of air pollution directly around them. Five years later, the children of these mothers were given cognitive tests to measure their mental development. (The study details can be found here.)
There is no doubt that environmental pollutants cause damage at the molecular level in all living things. This is because these pollutants can get in the way of critical chemical and biological reactions in our bodies. For example, arsenic poisoning causes the glucose metabolism pathway to be disrupted, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid. Arsenic can be found in pesticides and insecticides. Lead poisoning inhibits the proper formation of hemoglobin (the substance in blood that allows blood to carry oxygen). Lead used to be found in gasoline, so a thin layer of it covers the world now. Today, lead can be found paints (though it is illegal to use these paints in homes) and other chemicals. Most disturbingly, lead can be found in foreign-made toys and other products.
As the fetus develops, very critical biological processes are taking place. Throw in any environmental contaminant, and you can severely upset fetal development. It has long been known that smoking causes birth defects. And many of the pollutants in cigarette smoke can be found in car pollution (as reported here, here, and here). So it is not a "stretch" of any kind to postulate that air pollution can have an effect on fetal development. The study from the CCCEH is one step toward offering solid evidence so that proper policy can be effected.
The next step in strengthening the link will be to study other factors that may have caused the observed results, such as the mother's feeding habits, genetics, and prenatal health. The children may also be tested for any exposures to contamination or other factors that may yield the same results on their IQ tests. Did the children live in a home with lead paint? Were they born with a genetic condition that has been proven to not be associated with air pollution. These and other questions will more than likely be studied.
Women in their childbearing years should make sure to eat proper levels of folic acid, a B vitamin that helps prevent neural tube defects in developing fetuses. Why take it even if you're not pregnant? Because these defects occur very early in the pregnancy, sometimes even before you know you're pregnant. Other things to have in mind when pregnant is to maintain a proper diet for proper weight, get all necessary vaccines and prenatal care, and make sure to consult your health care provider to make sure all the bases are covered during your pregnancy.
Cars are dangerous for kids for many reasons.
There is no doubt that environmental pollutants cause damage at the molecular level in all living things. This is because these pollutants can get in the way of critical chemical and biological reactions in our bodies. For example, arsenic poisoning causes the glucose metabolism pathway to be disrupted, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid. Arsenic can be found in pesticides and insecticides. Lead poisoning inhibits the proper formation of hemoglobin (the substance in blood that allows blood to carry oxygen). Lead used to be found in gasoline, so a thin layer of it covers the world now. Today, lead can be found paints (though it is illegal to use these paints in homes) and other chemicals. Most disturbingly, lead can be found in foreign-made toys and other products.
As the fetus develops, very critical biological processes are taking place. Throw in any environmental contaminant, and you can severely upset fetal development. It has long been known that smoking causes birth defects. And many of the pollutants in cigarette smoke can be found in car pollution (as reported here, here, and here). So it is not a "stretch" of any kind to postulate that air pollution can have an effect on fetal development. The study from the CCCEH is one step toward offering solid evidence so that proper policy can be effected.
The next step in strengthening the link will be to study other factors that may have caused the observed results, such as the mother's feeding habits, genetics, and prenatal health. The children may also be tested for any exposures to contamination or other factors that may yield the same results on their IQ tests. Did the children live in a home with lead paint? Were they born with a genetic condition that has been proven to not be associated with air pollution. These and other questions will more than likely be studied.
Women in their childbearing years should make sure to eat proper levels of folic acid, a B vitamin that helps prevent neural tube defects in developing fetuses. Why take it even if you're not pregnant? Because these defects occur very early in the pregnancy, sometimes even before you know you're pregnant. Other things to have in mind when pregnant is to maintain a proper diet for proper weight, get all necessary vaccines and prenatal care, and make sure to consult your health care provider to make sure all the bases are covered during your pregnancy.
Cars are dangerous for kids for many reasons.
