Prenatal Air Pollution Exposure Linked to Low Childhood IQ

Prenatal exposure to pervasive air pollutants may adversely affect a child's intelligence by preschool, researchers reported today. In New York City, children exposed to high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the womb had significantly lower full-scale and verbal IQ scores when they turned 5, according to Frederica Perera, a professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia University, and colleagues. "The present findings are of concern because verbal and full-scale IQ scores...Full Story