The Association between Exposure to Fine Particulate Air Pollution and the Trajectory of Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors during Late Childhood and Early Adolescence: Evidence from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study

BACKGROUND: Exposure to high levels of fine particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter OBJECTIVE: The current study evaluated whether P[M.sub.2.5] exposure at 9-11 y of age affects both concurrent symptoms as well as the longitudinal trajectory of internalizing and externalizing behaviors across the following 3 y. This issue was examined using multiple measures of exposure and separate measures of symptoms of internalizing disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety) and externalizing disorders (e.g., conduct disorder), respectively. METHODS: In a sample of more than 10,000 youth from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, we used a dataset of historical P[M.sub.2.5] levels and growth curve modeling to evaluate associations of P[M.sub.2.5] exposure with internalizing and externalizing symptom trajectories, as assessed by the Child Behavioral Check List. Three distinct measures of P[M.sub.2.5] exposure were investigated: annual average concentration during 2016, number of days in 2016 above the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) 24-h P[M.sub.2.5] standards, and maximum 24-h concentration during 2016. RESULTS: At baseline, higher number of days with P[M.sub.2.5] levels above US EPA standards was associated with higher parent-reported internalizing symptoms in the same year. This association remained significant up to a year following exposure and after controlling for P[M.sub.2.5] annual average, maximum 24-h level, and informant psychopathology. There was also evidence of an association between P[M.sub.2.5] annual average and externalizing symptom levels at baseline in females only. DISCUSSION: Results suggested P[M.sub.2.5] exposure during childhood is associated with higher symptoms of internalizing and externalizing disorders at the time of exposure and 1 y later. In addition, effects of P[M.sub.2.5] exposure on youth internalizing symptoms may be most impacted by the number of days of exposure above US EPA standards in comparison with annual average and maximum daily exposure. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13427
Introduction Fine particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter [less than or equal to]2.5 [micro]m (P[M.sub.2:5]) air pollution is one of the leading contributors to disease burden in the modern world. [...]