# Cleaner air linked to better toddler brain development

> A 20-year study of over 1,100 children in New York found cognitive scores rose as air pollution fell.
- Title: Cleaner air linked to better toddler brain development
- Summary: A 20-year study of over 1,100 children in New York found cognitive scores rose as air pollution fell. Reducing air pollution appears to support children's…
- Keywords: air pollution, child development, cognitive development, new york, columbia university, prenatal exposure, pm2.5, nitrogen dioxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, environmental health, children's health, Cleaner
- Source: MadeForMums — https://madeformums.com/news/toddler-news/cleaner-air-linked-to-better-cognitive-development-in-young-children-study-finds
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: air pollution, child development, cognitive development, new york, columbia university, prenatal exposure, pm2.5, nitrogen dioxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, environmental health, children's health
## Study tracks pollution and brain development
Columbia University researchers followed over 1,100 children and mothers in Northern Manhattan and the South Bronx from 1998 to 2020, measuring how air pollution affected cognitive development.
## Three pollutants tracked before birth
Researchers measured prenatal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, then tested children's cognitive skills at ages one, two, and three.
## Pollution dropped dramatically over 22 years
Between 1998 and 2016, PM2.5 exposure fell 51% and nitrogen dioxide fell 48%. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure dropped 66% between 1998 and 2020.
## Cognitive scores improved with cleaner air
As pollution levels fell, children's test scores on memory, problem-solving, speech, and language comprehension increased, particularly at ages two and three.

> We tested cognitive processing including memory and sensory perception, problem-solving such as matching shapes, stacking blocks and communication.
## Higher pollution linked to lower scores
Children exposed to more PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during pregnancy had lower cognitive scores at ages one, two, and three.
## Other factors also improved over time
Tobacco smoke exposure at home fell from 34% to 18%, and maternal high school graduation rates increased. These changes make it hard to prove cleaner air alone caused better scores.

> We cannot conclude that contemporary levels of air pollution are safe for the neurodevelopment of all children.
## More research needed on air quality
Researchers say the findings show an association between cleaner air and better cognitive outcomes, but further studies are needed to understand this relationship and inform climate policies.

> We need more studies such as ours to increase public awareness of the value of clean air and climate policies.
## Key takeaway

Reducing air pollution appears to support children's cognitive development, though other social factors also improved during the study period.