A child’s IQ can be affected by poor air quality. It begins even before a baby is born. Researchers in New York City have found that children exposed to urban air pollution before birth were more likely to have a lower IQ than less exposed children. The reduction in IQ levels was enough to impact the child's academic performance in school. In particular, the researchers measured the intake of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, which are chemicals that get into the air as a result of burning coal, diesel, old and gas and other organic substances such as tobacco. Mostly however, it is automobile emissions that are main contributor. The researchers discovered that children exposed to poor air quality had a decrease in IQ similar to those children with lead exposure. The amount of decrease in the IQ was measured at between 4.31 and 4.67 points. Since over 90% of the air we breath comes from an indoor environment, it is of particular importance to protect the air quality indoors, and since 70% of air inhaled by children is from the home, it is of great importance to insure that the air quality in the home is both tested and treated. This is of critical importance. To get more information on air quality testing please visit our website at and be sure to check us out on facebook as well.