In October 2019 researchers from China published the results of their study to assess whether exposure to household pollutants during pregnancy is associated with ADHD-like behaviour in children. A total of 42,983 mothers and their children were involved in the study. Information on household pollutants experienced during pregnancy, including cooking fumes, environmental tobacco smoke, mosqutio coils, home renovating and indoor burning incense, was collected via a self-administered questionnaire. The child was then assessed for ADHD-like behaviour at 3 years of age. Results showed that exposure to household pollutants during pregnancy were independently associated with an increased risk of child hyperactivity. A further analysis revealed that exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and cooking fumes was significantly associated with child hyperactivity as was the combined effect of burning mosquito coils and incense.
Fang XY et al. Association between prenatal exposure to household inhalants exposure and ADHD-like behaviors at around 3 years of age: Findings from Shenzhen Longhua Child Cohort Study. Environ Res. 2019 Oct;177:108612