Associations Between Ambient Particulate Air Pollution and Cognitive Function in Indonesian Children Living in Forest Fire-Prone Provinces

Smoke from forest fires can reach hazardous levels for extended periods of time. We aimed to determine if there is an association between particulate matter <= 2.5 mu m in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) and living in a forest fire-prone province and cognitive function. We used data from the Indonesian Family and Life Survey. Cognitive function was assessed by the Ravens Colored Progressive Matrices (RCPM). We used regression models to estimate associations between PM2.5 and living in a forest fire-prone province and cognitive function. In multivariable models, we found very small positive relationships between PM2.5 levels and RCPM scores (PM2.5 level at year of survey: beta = 0.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.01% to 0.19%). There were no differences in RCPM scores for children living in forest fire-prone provinces compared with children living in non-forest fire-prone provinces (mean difference = -1.16%, 95% CI = -2.53% to 0.21%). RCPM scores were lower for children who had lived in a forest fire-prone province all their lives compared with children who lived in a non-forest fire-prone province all their life (beta = -1.50%; 95% CI = -2.94% to -0.07%). Living in a forest fire-prone province for a prolonged period of time negatively affected cognitive scores after adjusting for individual factors.

Automated summary

The study found that there is a slight positive association between PM2.5 levels from forest fires and cognitive function. Children living in forest fire-prone provinces did not show differences in RCPM scores compared to those living in non-forest fire-prone provinces, but long-term residence in forest fire-prone provinces negatively impacted cognitive scores.