Industrial pollution’s imprint lasts generations
In a groundbreaking study, University of Utah researchers found strong evidence that exposure to industrial pollution during pregnancy can shape a grandchild’s neurodevelopment. A child has a higher risk of an intellectual disability if their grandmothers lived near industrial facilities while pregnant with a parent, especially the mother. Higher density of industrial facilities corresponded to higher risk for the child.
“We know that breathing polluted air is dangerous for our own health now, but it’s scary to imagine what it could do to people’s unborn grandchildren,” said Sara Grineski, professor in the Department of Sociology at the U and lead author of the study. “The evidence from this study and many others force us to ask: What will be the legacy of the decisions that we make today?”
About 1% of Americans have an intellectual disability. Previous research shows that a child’s risk of an intellectual disability is higher when directly exposed to toxins in the womb, for example, if the mother accidentally ingests lead or mercury. Research on intergenerational air pollution exposure is rarer, but Grineski is leading in this area. She and colleagues have published studies focused on Utah that link the risk of an intellectual disability to prenatal exposure to ozone, particulate matter and industrial pollution.
This study fills a significant knowledge gap—does industrial pollution impact future generations who were not directly exposed?
“It’s much easier to study multigenerational effects on animals. The research in humans is much harder to do—we have longer lifespans, we’re not going to expose people to toxins on purpose, and it’s hard to get data on people who were alive 80 years ago,” said Grineski. “But it’s really important, especially as you think about intergenerational equity—What do we need to do to protect our future children and grandchildren?”
The study published on Aug. 10, 2025 in the journal Science and the Total Environment.
About the Blog
Discussion channel for insightful chat about our events, news, and activities.