That beautiful sunset or haze in the air is not just a mark on the skyline. It can also leave a mark on the mind.
Dr. Anne Marie Fine, medical director for a company that trains physicians in environmental medicine and practitioner of telemedicine, is an expert in how exposure to toxins and toxicants in the environment contribute to health problems. Whether it’s through indoor air, water supplies, personal care products, consumer products or outdoor air, exposure to these pollutants can have detrimental effects.
“The brain is very sensitive to environmental substances,” Fine said.
This is especially prevalent for students. Researchers are identifying a link in air pollution and cognitive ability. And Fine believes indoor air quality is the number one thing impacting the health of students.
“Indoor air is many times more toxic than outdoor air,” Fine said.
Most research on air pollution has focused on particulate matter. These particles, which can be as small as 0.1 microns, are one of the primary air concerns established by the Environmental Protection Agency (1).
Research is finding particulate matter damages more than the vascular system.
“We’re finding that there are neurodevelopmental effects on growing fetuses and children and sometimes they are taking IQ points off our children,” Fine said. “We are harming our children’s potential intellect and their ability to make a living and be a part of a functioning society.”
Many materials and products present in schools like carpets, couches, air fresheners, candles, colognes or perfumes offgas phthalates, which can affect children’s neurodevelopment.
“Phthalates are a molecule that are not covalently bonded to the material,” Fine said.
Fine said a study on children in Boston found air pollution lowered children’s IQ by two points per child.
Phthalates are also affecting Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in children.
“The rates of learning disabilities have skyrocketed,” Fine said. “There’s just all these kids needing additional resources, and it’s kind of weird to me that people aren’t really saying ‘Hey, what’s causing it, what’s going on?’ They’re just kind of accepting it.”
This is why air purification in schools is so important.
“Everybody needs to have the benefit of the air filter because the indoor air is just not clean,” Fine said.
When it comes to protecting the cognitive and intellectual abilities of children, Austin Air is the best choice. Austin Air is the only clinically proven air purifier, with CDC, WHO and EPA recommended technology, and has outperformed more than 100 other air purifiers in government tests. Austin AIr purifiers also capture 99% of virus particles larger than 0.1 microns with filters that last five years. They are also handcrafted in America, which means no supply chain issues.
There is even funding available for this. But it expires soon. Find out how to get it here: https://austinair.com/school-funding/.
Austin Air has also released a toolkit that helps parents, guardians and teachers advocate for cleaner air in the classroom (info.austinair.com/mold-toolkit)
“We are having an impact on our children and our babies – It needs to be addressed,” Fine said.
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