Early-Life Air, Noise Pollution Exposure Tied to Later Mental Health Issues
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.
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
Prior Military Sexual Trauma Linked to Late-Life Suicide Attempt
THURSDAY, May 1, 2025 -- Prior military sexual trauma (MST) is associated with late-life suicide attempt and death by suicide or overdose, according to a study published online...
Mental Health, Neurodevelopmental Diagnoses in Publicly Insured Children on the Rise
WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2025 -- The percentage of publicly insured children receiving any mental health or neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosis significantly increased between 2010...
Risky Health Behaviors Tied to Poorer Mental Well-Being, General Health in Midlife
MONDAY, April 28, 2025 -- Risky health behaviors, both current and cumulatively over time, are associated with poorer mental well-being and self-reported health, according to a...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.