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472. This Is Your Brain on Pollution

Freakonomics Radio

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Pollution's Impact on Cognition and Health

This chapter explores the detrimental effects of particulate matter pollution on cognitive performance, emphasizing how even low levels can impair memory and attention. It discusses significant research findings, particularly from China's Huai River policy, that reveal stark contrasts in health and educational outcomes based on environmental conditions. The chapter advocates for stricter air quality regulations by highlighting the underestimated consequences of pollution on public health and economic productivity.

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