Takeaway
There are significant associations between exposure to outdoor particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) and white matter (WM) microarchitecture in children.
Why this matters
It is well known that long-term exposure to PM2.5 is associated with adverse nervous system effects; some studies have shown that air pollution is associated with smaller WM surface area in children, but these studies have been conducted in small populations.
This study, the first multisite, large-scale U.S. study to find associations between PM2.5 exposure and WM microarchitecture, has important public health implications, suggesting that efforts to limit childhood exposure to PM2.5 should be investigated.