Scientists have found that the dirty air of cities causes mental disorders in children

Air pollution in cities has long bothered physicians. Numerous studies prove that the poor quality of air inhaled by a person provokes a number of diseases of the cardiovascular system and respiratory system. At the same time, the most vulnerable groups include people with poor health, children and the elderly. But it turned out that the effect of toxic substances contained in the inhaled air is much wider and extends including the nervous system.

The study of children's mental health and the impact on it of polluted air was carried out by scientists from the United States. They conducted three independent studies that helped reveal previously unknown facts. It turned out that the increase in the content in the atmosphere of cities of toxic compounds that make up the exhaust gases from cars is directly related to the growth of anxiety in children. Scientists were able to find out that with an increase in the number of these pollutants in the brain, abnormalities are observed that are associated with inflammatory processes and anxiety.

Another study found a general relationship between an increase in toxic substances and an increase in the level of mental disorders in minors. Scientists note that the reaction of the child’s body is recorded 1-2 days after negative changes in the composition of the atmosphere.

Even more interesting findings were obtained during long-term experiments that tracked the state of mental health of children from early childhood to adolescence. It turned out that children breathing polluted air in the first years of life experience significant difficulties with adolescence. Such children often suffer from various forms of mental disorders, including depression and even suicidal tendencies.

Thus, scientists came to the conclusion that the impact of environmental quality on the mental state of children, and subsequently adults, is greatly underestimated. It turned out that residents of large megacities and industrialized cities are at risk from an increased rate of mental disorders. This primarily concerns residents of developed countries, where the level of urbanization is high and most children live in adverse urban conditions.