October 8th

By Mutt Mulligan

Air pollution linked to mental health issues in children

Recent studies indicate that short-term exposure to air pollution can exacerbate psychiatric disorders in children. The study was conducted by scientists at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in collaboration with researchers at the University of Cincinnati.

In addition to the link between air pollution and mental health, the researchers also found that children living in disadvantaged neighborhoods may be more susceptible to the effects of air pollution compared to other children, especially related to anxiety and suicide risk.

Research has shown that living landscapes – including trees and grass – can help alleviate the effects of air pollution. Scientists know that turfgrasses remove “atmospheric pollutants such as carbon dioxide, ozone, hydrogen fluoride and peroxyacetyl nitrate from the air.” Grass also plays a vital role in capturing dust, smoke particles and other pollutants that harm people. In L.A. alone, where smog is a consistent problem, trees remove nearly 2,000 tons of air pollution each year.

To learn more about the amazing benefits of our living landscapes, check out the Living Landscape Fact Book.