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Prenatal exposure to outdoor air pollution and child behavioral problems at school age in Japan

Takashi Yorifuji1, Saori Kashima2, Midory Higa Diez1

  • 1Department of Human Ecology, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan.

Environment International
|November 29, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to air pollution is linked to increased behavioral issues in children, including attention deficits and aggression. This study highlights the impact of environmental factors on child neurobehavioral development.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Limited evidence exists on the adverse effects of air pollution on child neurobehavioral development.
  • Recent studies suggest positive associations between prenatal exposure to ambient air pollution and neurodevelopment.
  • Childhood behavioral problems are a significant public health concern.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between prenatal exposure to outdoor air pollution and child behavioral problems at school age.
  • To investigate the impact of specific air pollutants on neurobehavioral outcomes in children.
  • To contribute to understanding environmental influences on child development.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from a nationwide population-based longitudinal survey in Japan.
  • Assessed prenatal exposure to suspended particulate matter (SPM), nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide.
  • Employed multilevel logistic regression analysis adjusting for individual and municipality-level variables for 33,911 singleton births.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal exposure to air pollution was positively associated with behavioral problems.
  • Increased SPM exposure correlated with higher odds of interrupting others (OR 1.06), inattention when crossing streets (OR 1.09), lying (OR 1.06), and public disturbance (OR 1.07).
  • Associations were observed for attention-related and delinquent/aggressive behaviors.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal exposure to outdoor air pollution is associated with behavioral problems in children.
  • The findings indicate a link between air pollution and attention and aggressive behaviors at age 8.
  • This study provides evidence from a nationally representative sample in Japan on environmental impacts on child neurobehavioral development.
Abstract

Keywords:
Air pollutionBehaviorEpidemiologyNitrogen dioxideParticulate matterSulfur dioxide

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