--- title: New study explores potential link between air pollution and ADHD description: 'A new study from Columbia University found a possible connection between the air pollution a pregnant woman breathes and her child''s risk of developing ADHD. ' slug: new-study-explores-potential-link-between-air-pollution-and-adhd author: Geri Coleman Tucker published: '2019-10-16T12:14:40.077Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/93138E4D451C49488ED463ACE86C1E76/f50b22ca4f4e3b553990dcf927d370e9/7526504.jpg source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/new-study-explores-potential-link-between-air-pollution-and-adhd lang: en --- # New study explores potential link between air pollution and ADHD Scientists are looking for a connection between the air pollution a pregnant woman breathes and her child’s risk of developing [ADHD](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-adhd). A [recent study](https://journals.plos.org:443/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0111670) suggests there may be a link. In the study, researchers at Columbia University followed 253 pregnant mothers in New York City. They tracked the mothers and their children from before birth until age 9. The researchers focused on an air pollutant called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). This chemical is a byproduct of burning fossil fuels. PAHs are found in car exhaust, tobacco smoke, home heating systems and even some foods, such as smoked meats. The goal of the study was to see whether PAHs affect child development and result in ADHD symptoms. Those symptoms can include inattention and behavior issues. In a previous study, the same researchers had already found a [possible link](https://time.com/3558710/adhd-pregnancy-pollution/) between exposure to PAHs and developmental delays. To measure PAH exposure, the researchers tested the umbilical cord blood of mother and child at the time of birth. They also measured the level of PAH in the mothers’ own blood. Urine samples from the children were also tested when the children were 3 or 5 years old. Behavior checklists were used to see if the children had ADHD symptoms. The researchers found that children were more likely to show signs of ADHD if they were born to women who had higher levels of PAHs in their blood when they gave birth. The results of the study suggest that a pregnant woman’s exposure to pollution might contribute to ADHD symptoms in her child. But the researchers caution that more data is needed. They specifically note they did not look at the role of other factors like stress, noise level and other pollutants. The study was also limited to nonsmoking mothers in a single neighborhood. In the end, it may not be possible to connect environmental factors to ADHD. To learn more, view a slideshow about the [possible causes of ADHD](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-causes-adhd). *Any opinions, views, information and other content contained in blogs on Understood.org are the sole responsibility of the writer of the blog, and do not necessarily reflect the views, values, opinions or beliefs of, and are not endorsed by, Understood.* --- ## Explore related topics and articles - [Does exposure to fluoride cause ADHD?](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/fluoride-and-adhd) - Q. My 10-year-old daughter was recently diagnosed with ADHD and Im trying to learn as much as I can. I just read that exposure to fluoride causes ADHD. Is that true? A. Researchers are looking into possible links between fluoride and ADHD. They dont have clear answers yet, but its an important quest - [What parents should know about the MAHA report](https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/hyperfocus/what-parents-should-know-about-the-maha-report) - A clinical psychologist breaks down what parents need to know about the new MAHA report. ADHD gets mentioned a lot in the new report from the Make America Healthy Again commission. Its pitched as part of the childhood chronic disease crisis, and the authors make a lot of big claims: - Food addit - [The heart health and ADHD connection](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-heart-health-and-adhd-connection) - People with ADHD are more likely to experience heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. 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