Individuals exposed as children (0-17 years) to indoor air pollution from solid fuels performed significantly worse on cognitive tests in adulthood (45+ years); with men, smokers and regular alcohol users particularly vulnerable to this effect

> the study is the first to investigate how early-childhood exposure to indoor air pollution affects cognitive performance in adulthood. It analysed nationally representative data from over 7,000 Chinese adults aged 45, using advanced machine learning techniques

>Among biological mechanisms, overweight and limitations in daily activities were highlighted, suggesting that early exposure may harm long-term physical health and indirectly impact brain function.
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>In terms of socioeconomic mechanisms, childhood exposure to air pollution was associated with lower levels of education and income in adulthood, both of which are known risk factors for cognitive decline.

> Men, smokers and regular alcohol users were particularly vulnerable to the detrimental effects of early exposure to indoor air pollution on cognitive performance. The results are consistent with the idea that inflammation and stress – often exacerbated by tobacco or alcohol use – may amplify the neurological damage caused by air pollution.

[The long arm of childhood: The association between early-life indoor air pollution exposure and cognitive performance in later life – ScienceDirect](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953625009931?via%3Dihub#sec2)

> ..childhood exposure to air pollution was associated with lower levels of education..

Could it be that poor people can only afford solid fuels?

Interesting. We switched from a wood burning stove to a pellet stove which is supposed to be better air quality but only really use it to save money on propane heating. But each comes with different costs I suppose.

What about woodstoves?