Children's Health: the Importance of PIQ Loss
PM2.5 has many adverse health effects, including IQ loss in children. This article walks through how air pollution exposure can stick with a child for the rest of their life.
Air Pollution impacts everyone.
It is the fifth-largest cause of death globally and is “one of the biggest environmental threats to human health” (WHO, 2021). In 2019, air pollution caused almost 200,000 deaths in the United States—more than stroke, Alzheimer’s, or diabetes. While the US has achieved control over air pollutants like lead, the majority of these deaths come from a pollutant called particulate matter—namely PM2.5. PM2.5 are microscopic particles capable of causing health outcomes such as heart attacks, stroke, life-long asthma, and death. Thankfully, the burden of PM2.5 is largely preventable, but its remediation requires genuine political concern and action.
We encourage you to explore this website to learn about the health effects of PM2.5 pollution, how to protect yourself, and the tools for building a pollution-free Massachusetts.
How does PM2.5 impact Massachusetts?
That’s the question we’ve been working on for the last 2 years. Combining our own research, an extensive lit review, and a partnership with Harvard Medical School, we estimated the annual impact of PM2.5 on every town in Massachusetts. Use the tool below to view your town!
Explore the Map to learn about the Air Quality Index in your town!
Map not working? Try refreshing the page.
Interested in learning how these estimates were calculated?
State-wide Health Statistics
670,000
Tons of PM2.5 emitted in MA in 2019
4,405
Estimated number of deaths due to PM2.5 in MA in 2019
308
Estimated number of underweight births due to PM2.5 in MA in 2019
2 Million
Provisionally estimated number of IQ points lost due to PM2.5 in MA in 2019*
*Provisional estimate is subject to change and further scientific review
So how does PM2.5 affect me?
Air pollution impacts every society, community, demographic, and person differently, as who you are influences the risks air pollution poses to your livelihood. Explore the boxes below to see the threat air pollution poses to you and what you can do about it.
People Aged 65 and Older
Age is one of the largest risk factors for air pollution-related illnesses. With this given burden, it is particularly important for people 65 and older to be wary of their PM2.5 exposure. Preventative measures include monitoring air quality and wearing surgical or KN95 masks when pollution is high.
Children
Kids are kids and shouldn’t have to worry about the health effects from the air they breathe. At the same time these health effects exist, and it’s important for kids to know not to do high risk activities like playing alongside major roads, near power plants, or around running cars.
Parents
PM2.5 exposure can cause life-long asthma and IQ loss in children under 10, so it’s important for parents and caretakers to know how to avoid air pollution. Our tips: watch air quality advisory notices, don’t gather around car tailpipes, and advocate for strong policies in your town!
People of Color
Studies at all levels (local, state, national, and international) have found people of color are at greater risk of PM2.5 exposure. For local and state disparities, there are nonprofits in Massachusetts that work with environmental justice cases. Find more information in the articles below.
People with Underlying Conditions
People with underlying conditions are more likely to experience disease and death due to PM2.5 exposure. This is especially true for pre-existing respiratory conditions. For example, people with COPD are much more likely to experience difficulty breathing than the rest of the population.
The General Public
Air pollution impacts everyone, even those who consider themselves perfectly healthy. Effects such as lost IQ or increased difficulty breathing may seem small, but their lasting nature is nothing but insignificant.
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The Global Observatory on Planetary Health
is grounded in science and rooted in a philosophy of social justice. It is committed to creation of a healthier and more equitable society and to care for the Earth—our common home.
