News

Air pollution is a pervasive global challenge, but its impact is particularly acute in developing countries. Among the most vulnerable are children, whose developing bodies and minds make them more susceptible to harmful pollutants. Our newly published study in The Journal of Development Studies sheds light on this pressing issue, focusing on the effects of indoor air pollution on child health and cognitive development in Nigeria.

Most existing research on air pollution relies on outdoor air quality data, often neglecting individual-specific exposure and the significant role of indoor pollution, especially in rural and energy-poor settings. In contrast, our study adopts a direct approach, measuring blood carbon monoxide (CO) levels in children using a Rad-57 CO-oximeter. This innovative methodology allows us to pinpoint the effects of CO on specific developmental domains and health outcomes.

We find that elevated CO levels are linked to significant reductions in gross motor, fine motor, and problem-solving skills in children aged 1–4. Problem-solving abilities, crucial for learning and decision-making, showed the most pronounced negative impact. Higher CO levels are also associated with a notable decline in child health, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of indoor air pollution. Children in households using clean cooking energy consistently outperformed their peers in cognitive and motor skill assessments, underscoring the importance of transitioning to cleaner energy sources.

The findings call for urgent action to improve indoor air quality. Key recommendations include: (i) Promoting access to cleaner cooking technologies and fuels. (ii) Raising awareness about the health risks associated with indoor air pollution. (iii) Implementing targeted interventions in rural and low-income communities, where reliance on polluting fuels is highest.

To delve deeper into our findings, access the full paper here: Full article: Air Pollution, Child Health, and Cognitive Development.