[Environment ★★★★]
(P1) Air pollution is a known risk factor for certain mental health problems in adults, but a new study also links high rates of air pollution to poorer psychiatric health in children and adolescents.
(P2) To investigate this link, researchers from Umea University in Sweden examined what is known as “register-based” data. All medications given to Swedish people are registered, and in this case, researchers zeroed in on individuals under age 18 from Stockholm, Vastra Gotaland, Skane, and Vasterbotten. They then looked at this information in connection with the Swedish National Register, which logs air pollution.
(P3) Due to the socioeconomic range in these regions, researchers first had to control four factors that might affect the outcome, including variety in wealth and ethnicity.
(P4) Researchers found that air pollution levels do seem to impact adolescent and childhood psychiatric diagnoses, but they couldn’t directly measure rates of mental illness.
(P5) Furthermore, the risk of having at least one psychiatric diagnosis increased with just a 10 microgram per cubic meter increase in nitrogen dioxide levels in the air.
(P6) Nitrogen dioxide is one of several air pollutants that results from road traffic and other fossil fuel use. The gas is of particular interest for both health and environment agencies because it plays a part in the formation of particulate matter and acid rain. Long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide has been linked to reduced lung function and resulting breathing and respiratory problems. It has also been identified as a potential risk factor for increasing allergy rates.
WORDS: 247
SOURCE: http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/49624
VOCABULARY: psychiatric, adolescents, logs, socioeconomic, ethnicity, fossil
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
If you found the passage difficult to read or had problems understanding specific words or idiomatic expressions, please discuss them with your tutor. The following discussion questions should be answered in your own words and with your own arguments.
- Briefly, summarize the content of the article in your own words.
- How can air pollution be controlled?
- Do you think your government is doing enough to control air pollution in your country? Why or why not?
- In your opinion, do you think air pollution causes mental health issues in children and adolescents? Why or why not?
READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:
- A study suggests that air pollution is worse for children and teenagers. (T or F)
- Which college performed the research?
- According to the study, smog definitely influences mental health issues. (T or F)
- Nitrogen dioxide is the one and only cause of air pollution. (T or F)
- Breathing problems are also associated with smog. (T or F)
EXPRESSIONS or PHRASES:
What do the following expressions or phrases mean?
- zeroed in (P2)
- rates of mental illness (P4)
- plays a part (P6)
- acid rain (P6)
Image source: Shutterstock http://d3i3l3kraiqpym.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/06184015/fossil-fuels-discussion.jpg