Air pollution may negatively affect brain and cognitive development in children and adolescents, a new study has warned.
Dispensed medication for psychiatric diagnosis can be related to air pollution concentrations, researchers from Umea University in Sweden said.
They studied the correlation between exposure to air pollution in residential areas and childrens’ and adolescents’ psychiatric health.
The study was performed by looking at register-based data, where dispensed medications of all Swedes are registered, together with Swedish National Register data of air pollution concentrations.
The entire population under 18 in four countries in Sweden was studied.
The results show that air pollution increased the risk of having dispensed medication for at least one psychiatric diagnosis for children and adolescents, researchers said.
The risk increased by nine per cent with a 10 microgramme per cubic metre increased concentration of nitrogen dioxide even after socioeconomic and demographic factors were taken into account, they said.
“The results can mean that a decreased concentration of air pollution, first and foremost traffic-related air pollution, may reduce psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents,” said Anna Oudin from Umea University.
The findings were published in the journal BMJ open.
Report via Times of India
PUT THAT CHEESE BURGER DOWN 
Not just the mental health air pollution can damage overall health kids, specially toddlers. A year back in North India, I saw many cases where children between age 0.6 to 2.0 suffered red spots on skin. They were painful and itchy and very stubborn. No medicine was able to help. They lasted for more than 6 months.
I think that can also effect brain indirectly.
Air pollution is a curse for us, our kids and coming generations. Only we can control it but that needs great will power.
Strict actions by Governments and willingness by public can solve the problem.
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