Childhood Exposure to Air Pollution May Impact Adolescent Health

New research reveals that childhood exposure to air pollution is linked to poorer health outcomes in late adolescence, highlighting environmental health disparities and the importance of pollution reduction policies.

2 min read

Recent research from University College London highlights the long-term health implications of early-life exposure to air pollution. The study, published in Scientific Reports, examined over 9,000 UK adolescents born between 2000 and 2002, revealing that children growing up in areas with higher levels of air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide are more likely to report poorer health at age 17.

The analysis utilized linked geospatial data to assess air quality around participants’ homes from birth until age 17. It found that exposure to higher pollution levels during critical early years, especially between ages 2 to 4, significantly increased the risk—by 15% to 30%—of reporting poorer health in late adolescence. The association was particularly strong for exposure to PM10 and PM2.5.

The study also uncovered stark inequalities in environmental exposure, with ethnic minority children and those from deprived neighborhoods experiencing 51% higher nitrogen dioxide levels compared to their white peers. Despite overall reductions in air pollution in the UK over recent decades, these disparities persist, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups.

Lead researcher Dr. Gergő Baranyi emphasized that early childhood is a sensitive period during which air pollution can cause lasting health effects. Children exposed to high pollution levels are at increased risk of respiratory conditions, cardiovascular issues, obesity, and mental health problems later in life. The findings suggest that policies aimed at reducing pollution concentrations—particularly in disadvantaged areas—could lead to improved long-term health outcomes.

While the study’s linked hospital data did not show a direct increase in admissions based on pollution exposure, the overall evidence underscores the importance of protecting children from environmental hazards during formative years. Addressing socioeconomic and ethnic disparities in air quality is crucial to promoting health equity across communities.

For further details, see the full study: Gergő Baranyi et al, "The relationship between early life course air pollution exposure and general health in adolescence in the United Kingdom," Scientific Reports, 2025.