Skip to main content

Early-Life Air, Noise Pollution Exposure Tied to Later Mental Health Issues

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on May 29, 2024.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, May 29, 2024 -- Early-life air and noise pollution exposure are prospectively associated with three common mental health problems from adolescence to young adulthood, according to a study published online May 28 in JAMA Network Open.

Joanne B. Newbury, Ph.D., from University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, and colleagues examined the longitudinal associations of air and noise pollution exposure in pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence with psychotic experiences, depression, and anxiety in youth and young adults aged 13 to 24 years. Analysis included 9,065 infants (born between April 1, 1991, and Dec. 31, 1992) participating in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.

The researchers found that after covariate adjustment, interquartile range increases (0.72 μg/m3) in fine particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM2.5) levels during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.11) and during childhood (aOR, 1.09) were associated with higher odds for psychotic experiences. There was also an association between pregnancy PM2.5 exposure and depression (aOR, 1.10). Higher odds of anxiety were seen with noise pollution exposure in childhood (aOR, 1.19) and adolescence (aOR, 1.22).

"Interventions to reduce air and noise pollution exposure (e.g., clean air zones) could potentially improve population mental health," the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted May 2024

Read this next

Higher Social Media Use Tied to Subsequent Depressive Symptoms in Youth

FRIDAY, May 23, 2025 -- Higher social media use is associated with greater subsequent depressive symptoms in children and adolescents, according to a study published online May 21...

Combinations of Chronic, Physical Illnesses Up the Risk of Subsequent Depression

WEDNESDAY, May 21, 2025 -- Certain groups of physical multimorbidity may be associated with a higher risk of subsequent depression, according to a study published online May 13...

Adding Team Therapist Reduces Burnout for Critical Care Nurses

TUESDAY, May 20, 2025 -- For nurses in critical care areas, adding a team therapist can reduce burnout and improve resilience, according to a study presented at the American...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.