Exposure to traffic-related air pollution can contribute to anxiety in children.

Researchers from the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center studied brain MRIs from 145 children with an average age of 12 years old. They looked specifically at levels of the metabolite Myo-Inositol, or MI: as increases in MI are associated with anxiety.

The team found that kids exposed to higher levels of traffic-related air pollution had significantly higher levels of MI in the brain. Additionally, there was a 12% increase in anxiety symptoms in this group.

Researchers say these findings demonstrate the harmful impact air pollution has on young brains.

Source:

University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center. (2019, May 21). Air pollution linked to childhood anxiety: Researchers investigate traffic-related air pollution and symptoms of childhood anxiety, through neuroimaging. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 29, 2019 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190521162421.htm