News / Air pollution
Low emissions zones could reduce mental health issues, study finds
Exposure to air pollution while in the womb and during early childhood may be linked to mental health problems in later life, according to a new study.
The University of Bristol used data from the Children of the ‘90s study to examine the long term impacts of air and noise pollution.
Their findings suggested measures to reduce exposure to pollution could help to reduce commonly-experienced mental health issues including anxiety and depression.
is needed now More than ever
“Given that pollution is a preventable exposure, interventions such as low emissions zones could potentially improve mental health,” said lead author Dr Joanne Newbury of University of Bristol.
The long-term Children of the ’90s study has led to breakthroughs in scientific understanding – photo: Children of the ’90s
The Children of the ‘90s study recruited 14,000 pregnant women from the Bristol area between 1991 and 1992, and tracked their health data over time.
It has led to breakthroughs in understanding in science and public health including how babies can safely sleep on their backs, obesity-associated genes and deteriorating liver health in young people.
The latest iteration of the research linked early childhood data to mental health reports when the participants were 13, 18 and 24 years old.
One in five reported having a psychotic experience; 11.4% reported depression and almost one in ten reported experiencing anxiety.
Researchers then analysed the outdoor air and noise pollution levels around the participants’ home addresses from pre-birth to 12 years old.
“Childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood are critical periods for the development of psychiatric disorders,” said Dr Newbury.
“Our findings add to a growing body of evidence – from different populations, locations, and using different study designs – suggesting a detrimental impact of air pollution, and potentially noise pollution, on mental health.
“This is a major concern, because air pollution is now such a common exposure, and rates of mental health problems are increasing globally.”
Researchers found that relatively small increases in fine particulate matter – the tiny particles of liquid and solid matter in the air that can cause health problems if inhaled – during pregnancy and childhood were associated with more psychotic experiences and depression symptoms among teens and young adults.
A link between higher noise pollution in childhood and adolescence and increased instances of anxiety was also found.
Dr Newbury said the research suggests more effort should be made to reduce exposure to pollution in order to improve public health.
“These findings, by themselves, do not prove a causal association. However, other recent studies have shown that low emissions zones appear to have a positive impact on mental health.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
