A groundbreaking study involving 8,500 children has underscored the detrimental effects of air pollution on cognitive development, mainly focusing on ammonium nitrate, a common component of delicate particulate matter (PM2.5).
The research indicates that exposure to this pollutant can lead to poorer learning and memory performance in children aged 9 to 10. This revelation comes as the National Capital grapples with severe air quality issues characterized by persistent smog that has raised health alarms among residents.
Ammonium nitrate forms when ammonia gas, released from agricultural practices, reacts with nitric acid produced during fossil fuel combustion. The study, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, highlights ammonium nitrate as a critical factor in air pollution that affects children and is linked to increased risks of neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia in adults.
Megan Herting, an associate professor at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, called for more detailed investigations into particulate matter's sources and chemical components.
The study employed sophisticated statistical methods to analyze 15 chemical components found in PM2.5, pinpointing ammonium nitrate as a primary suspect in cognitive impairment among children. This highlights an urgent need for policy interventions to reduce air pollution levels to safeguard the health and development of future generations.
As air quality in urban areas continues to decline, experts warn of the long-term consequences of exposure to harmful pollutants on children's health and learning capabilities. This study serves as a crucial reminder of the need for immediate action to combat air pollution and protect vulnerable populations, particularly children, from its adverse effects.