• Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) researchers in the United Kingdom followed a birth cohort (n=14901) in the city of Bristol to understand the association between perinatal and early childhood exposure to air (NO2 and PM2.5) and noise pollution with mental health disorders (anxiety, depression, and psychotic experiences) later in life.

• Certain confounders were identified, including a family history of psychiatric illness, maternal education, ethnicity, population density, and neighborhood characteristics.

• These were considered as covariates during analysis.

• As NO2 and PM2.5 have different absolute values, results were standardized by dividing the scores by the IQR.

• The following are the findings:

1. After covariate adjustment, InterQuartile Range (IQR)(0.72μg/m3) increase in PM2.5 exposure during pregnancy and childhood was related to increased odds of psychotic experiences. (AOR [Adjusted Odds Ratio] during pregnancy:1.11[1.04-1.19); and (AOR during childhood: 1.09[1.00-1.10]).

2. IQR increase in PM2.5 exposure during pregnancy was linked to increased odds of depression.(AOR: 1.10[1.02-1.18])

3. Increased exposure to noise pollution during childhood and adolescence led to higher odds of anxiety.(AOR during adolescence:1.22[1.02-1.45])

• Thus, the team concluded that early pregnancy and childhood exposure to air pollution led to an increased risk of depression and psychotic experiences.

• In contrast, increased exposure to noise pollution during childhood and adolescence led to increased risk of anxiety.

• These could provide future targets for interventions to reduce the disease burden.

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