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Children exposed to high levels of air pollution are at risk for mental disorders, according to a new study. As such, the more children are exposed to two specific pollutants in the air, the greater chances there are of those kids not only coming down with diseases but causing self-harm to themselves as they age.
Researchers from The University of Manchester and Aarhus University in Denmark found that when kids were exposed to particulate matter of fewer than 2.5 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) and nitrogen dioxide for long periods within the household, they were more likely to bring harm to themselves in the future, according to Medical Xpress.
The study, which was published in the journal, Preventative Medicine found that when children were exposed to particulate matter of 19 μg/m3 from the day they were born until they turned 10 years old, they had a 48 percent higher risk of bringing self-harm to themselves than those who were exposed to 13 μg/m3 or less.
And that risk rose an extra 42 percent for every 5 μg/m3 over 19 μg/m3 of particulate matter in the air, per the study.
Further still, the study also found those who were exposed to nitrogen dioxide during the same frame faced a 50 percent higher risk of self-harm when exposed to 25 μg/m3 than those who were exposed to 10 μg/m3 or less. And for every increase of 10 μg/m3, that risk increased 21 percent.
Particulate matter is what gives the skies a hazy look on particularly air polluted days. The reason that it is so harmful, according to the EPA is that the particles are so small that they can embed themselves deep within the lungs and have even been found in the bloodstream.
Physically, this can lead to difficulty breathing, heart attacks, asthma, premature death, and more, per the organization. And while this is bad, the effects that the particulates have on the brain are even worse.
According to Mental Health Daily, when the body is exposed to particulate matter for long periods, the brain matter begins to age at an accelerated pace. For those who are exposed to 2 μg/m3, it is the equivalent of aging and an extra one year of life. As such, those exposed to 19 μg/m3 would be aging the brain close to 40 years older than the physical age of the body.
Behavior changes have also been detected in those who are exposed to particulate matter, per the publication. Many tend to be more "impulsive" and have difficulties "correcting" self-harming behaviors.
Nitrogen dioxide may not have the same effects on the brain as particulate matter does. However, being exposed to nitrogen dioxide for an extended time will lead to difficulty breathing, asthma, and other respiratory symptoms, according to GreenFacts. As such, the longer exposure to nitrogen dioxide, the longer the lungs suffer.
To determine that these two pollutants are as harmful to the body and mind as they are, researchers used the Danish national registry. With its help, they were able to look at over 1.4 million residents from 1979 to 2006, per The University of Manchester.
As a result of these records, researchers were able to not only see where people lived when they were younger but they could see where they moved to as adults as well. And with this information, they tracked the individuals for mental disorders from the age of 10 until they were 37, finding that those living in the most polluted of populations were most apt to bring self-harm to themselves as they age.
Climate change affects so much on so many levels. Here is to hoping that it can be turned around in the near future. People's health will be better off for it.
Source: Medical Xpress, The University of Manchester, Preventative Medicine, EPA, GreenFacts, Mental Health Daily