Clear Skies, Clear Minds:

Air pollution from industry, transport, and shipping significantly contributes to premature mortality, and has severe implications for cardio-respiratory health and the brain. Long-term exposure to pollutants can worsen cardiac health, increasing heart attack and stroke risks. Children’s respiratory health is particularly at risk due to their smaller, developing respiratory tracts and higher relative air intake. 

Frequent illnesses can affect children’s study preparation and exam performance. Pollution can also impact the brain directly, making them more susceptible to neurological impacts. Air pollution can lead to lower cognition and impairments in executive function, memory, coding ability, and verbal fluency. These changes are associated with poorer mental health, including depression, mood disorders, and anxiety.

With the support of the Nuffield Foundation, this project will explore the direct effects of air quality on children’s human capital and health in England, documenting how human capital and health effects interact and the potentially diverse impacts of pollution across neighbourhoods.