I think doing all we can to improve the environment is smart for a whole lot of reasons as citizen hunters know, but a new study shows breathing cleaner air makes you smarter not just according to Citizen Hunter, but science as well: Reuters reported that heavy pollution is tied to lower IQ scores and low memory.
Dr. Shakira Suglia, quoted in the piece, compared the impact of pollution on children's intelligence to mothers smoking 10 cigarettes a day while pregnant or exposure to lead -- both of which are dangers we're pretty familiar with.
This new study completes the trifecta, as far as I'm concerned. We have long known of the impact of pollution on asthma and other respiratory issues as well as on the heart, now it turns out our brain does not like dirty air either.
"The researchers related several measures of cognitive function to the children's estimated exposure to black carbon, a component of the particulate matter emitted in automobile and truck exhaust, particularly by diesel vehicles. The more heavily exposed children were to black carbon, the lower were their scores on several intelligence tests." The kids also scored lower on vocab and memory tests.
Comments (3)
"heavy pollution is tied to lower IQ scores and low memory".
I guess Washington D.C. must be the most polluted place on the earth. Followed closely by Harrisburg and Philadelphia.
But if Bejing is so polluted that athletes don't want to go for the Olympics, how come their students beat our brains in on intelligence tests?
Posted by: James A. on April 2, 2008 13:00
Because there are other factors at work as well Imagine if they didn't have that they would be kicking out butts even more!
Posted by: julie on April 2, 2008 22:42
Once you start doing green things, you really feel good about making a difference of being part of the solution. At least that's been my experience. I'm Vegan, I recycle "everything", I don't have a car, I ride public transportation, lights off during the day, some on at night and some candles to save energy, don't use the dryer, I let clothes air dry, I use 100% Wind Energy in my apartment, Don't leave the water running when I brush my teeth, etc. I don't expect everyone to go over board but if you can make your life more Eco-friendly as time goes on, why not? It's beneficial to your pocket book and the planet.
Posted by: Kathy on April 4, 2008 12:01