Danger in the Air: How Air Pollution Can Affect Brain Development in Young Children

During the 1970s and 1980s, air pollution from the combustion of gasoline which contained lead was found to cause serious damage to children’s nervous systems and cognitive development. Countries around the world responded to this threat decisively, banning leaded gasoline almost everywhere.
What research is showing us now is that a variety of other air pollutants may also be harming children’s brains. The potential scale and impact are too high for us to ignore. Given all the risks that air pollution poses, the need to act is urgent.