Better air quality in New York linked to improved toddler mental development
A Columbia University study in northern Manhattan and the South Bronx found that reduced air pollution between 1998 and 2016 correlated with higher cognitive scores in toddlers.
Study measures pollution exposure and child growth
Researchers tracked over 1,100 children from disadvantaged communities as they aged one to three years old. The team assessed memory, sensory perception, problem-solving skills, and language comprehension during these early years.
Cleaner air followed by policy changes
Legislation targeting yellow taxis cut certain pollutants by 80 percent while cleaner fuels replaced heavy oils for heating. Fine particle pollution and nitrogen dioxide levels dropped by half between 1998 and 2016.
Toddler scores rise with improved environment
As air quality increased, the mental development scores of the toddlers also improved over time. The researchers noted a shift from earlier bad news regarding prenatal exposure to positive outcomes later in the study.
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