WASHINGTON: High levels of emissions from cars, trucks and buses near your home could hamper a child's grades, according to a new study.
The study has found that fourth and fifth graders in US who are exposed to toxic air pollutants at home are more likely to have lower grade point average. Researchers analysed academic performance and sociodemographic data for 1,895 fourth and fifth grade children living in Texas.They used the US Environmental Protection Agency's National Air Toxics Assessment to estimate childre's exposure to toxic air pollutants, such as diesel exhaust.
"Some evidence suggests that this association might exist because of illnesses, such as respiratory infections or asthma," study's coauthor Sara E Grineskisaid."The other hypothesis is that chronic exposure to air toxics can negatively affect children's neurological and brain development," Grineski said.
