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Air pollutants linked to low GPAs in elementary school students
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Fourth- and fifth-grade students exposed to excess air pollution, particularly from transportation vehicles, had lower grade point averages than peers not exposed to these pollutants, according to recent data published in Population and Environment.
“The finding that there is a significant association between residential exposure to air toxics and GPA at the individual level is both novel and disturbing,” Sara E. Grineski, PhD, of the department of sociology and anthropology at the University of Texas, El Paso, and colleagues wrote. “Poor academic performance at a young age can have lifelong impacts on a person’s developmental trajectory and life chances, including lower economic and educational attainment in adulthood.”
The researchers conducted statistical analysis of the students’ GPA data and compared them with the EPA’s 2005 National Air Toxics Assessment report. All students surveyed were from the El Paso Independent School District. The researchers compiled demographic and academic data for children via survey responses returned by parents (n = 1,904). The EPA report contained spatial information related to air toxics throughout the El Paso metropolitan area, as well as information regarding the types and sources of air pollutants.
Study results showed that seven of the eight risk variables covered in the EPA report were found to have significant negative impacts on student GPAs. Nonroad emissions — transportation vehicles such as trains and airplanes — had the greatest impact on GPA and caused a decrease of 0.36 grade points (P < .05).
Air pollutants consisting of diesel particulate matter negatively impacted student performance the most, with a calculated reduction of 0.35 grade points (P < .05).
“These findings suggest which pollutant sources may have the greatest impact on children’s academic performance, which can inform further research and policy aimed at reducing the most harmful toxic emissions,” Grineski and colleagues wrote. – by David Costill
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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