Intellectual Capacity of Children Exposed to Environmental Pollution in the Extreme South of Brazil

Abstract

Abstract:Objective: The study evaluated the intellectual capacity of children who live in areas that were E (exposed) or NE (not exposed) to environmental pollution. Method: 246 students between the ages of 8 and 11 years and 8 months were evaluated. Data were collected between May and June 2010 using a semi-structured questionnaire to examine factors that were related to compromised intellectual capacity. Intellectual capacity was evaluated with Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices Scale. The intellectual capacity of children who live in areas that were exposed or not exposed was compared using chi-squared tests and raw and adjusted analyses were conducted using Poisson regression. Results: The general occurrence of intellectual impairment was 28.9%, with 22.0% in the non-exposed area and 36.1% in the exposed area (p = 0.01). The outcome was associated with the following: a lack of companionship (RP = 2.77; p < 0.00), maternal education of less than five years (RP = 2.13; p < 0.00), the mother not being Caucasian (RP = 1.57; p < 0.00), residing in an exposed area (RP = 1.88; p < 0.00), and nutritional risk/malnutrition (RP = 2.83; p < 0.00). Conclusions: The results showed a high occurrence of intellectual impairment and a significant difference between the environmental areas. Additional research is needed to improve the understanding of several results. The town's priorities should include efforts related to environmental health.