Wayne Imber

While scientists and researchers are still trying to come up with more explanations as to what causes behavioral problems in children, a study discovered that prenatal exposure to air pollution may be one of the culprits, affecting a child during the fetal stage. Image source: psychcentral.com In said study, which was published in the Journal of Child Psychology, children born from women who were regularly exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or PAH had depression, ADHD, anxiety, or similar behavioral issues. PAH can be found in car smoke emissions, cigarette smoke, and burning coal. The study further delves into how the gestation of the unborn child is affected by PAH. Scientists found that once a mother is exposed to the pollutant, the part of the unborn child’s brain that handles self-regulation is affected. The research found that during infancy and toddlerhood, these children had problems relating to others, poor social skills, and difficulty in controlling