İzmir, Aliağa bölgesinde hava kirliliğinin ilkokul çocuklarinin bilişsel gelişimine etkisi, bir kohort çalişmasi

Air pollution is suspected as a neurotoxicant and there are some studies showing its impact on cognitive development of children. The aim of this study was to assess if air pollution effects cognitive development of children and measure air quality in Aliaga. This cohort study was done in Yenisakran Primary School not affected by air pollution and Helvaci and Bozkoy Primary School which was affected by air pollution according to previous studies in Aliaga. In the three schools, Indoor and outdoor PM 1, SO2, NO2 and O3 was measured. All 1st, 2nd and 3rd class students attenting each school were involved in study. Computerized ANT, Gonogo and N-back tests were used to detect cognitive status, especially executive functions. Also, parents answered a questionnaire consisting of sociodemografic properties and a screening of children's behavioral problems. Cognitive development and air quality was planned to be measured totally 3 times as in winter, spring and summer seasons. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the study could not be completed. Although the study did not have enough data to fulfill its aims, in the first ANT measurement evaluating attention network and lower points meaning good performance, Yenisakran students showed better performance by taking 46.0 (Helvacı-Bozköy 48.0) in alerting, 46.5 (Helvacı-Bozköy 54.0) in orienting, 79.5 (Helvacı-Bozköy 100.0) in conflict median. In Gonogo testing inhibition ability, Yenişakran students done 91.6% of nogo part while Helvacı-Bozköy students did 87.5% of nogo part correctly. Also in n-back test which tested working memory, d scores of Yenişakran students was 19, better than Helvacı-Bozköy (-7). Although executive functions of Yenişakran students seemed better than Helvacı-Bozköy students, the effect of air pollution on cognitive development could not be evaluated because cognitive development could not be followed up and results could not be adjusted for confounding factors. However, although only one measurement was done, that Helvacı had 4 times high PM1 level according to WHO limits (100 µg/m3). The effect of air pollution on cognitive development could not be measured but PM 1 level was over the limits and could affect human health. Key words: air pollution, cognition, development, child, school