There has been no specific study on whether high air pollution damages brain and motor functions among children, environment minister Bhupender Yadav informed the Rajya Sabha during the just concluded budget session.

“There are several studies conducted by different organizations on the impact of air pollution, which is one of the many factors affecting respiratory ailments and associated diseases,” Yadav said on February 8. “There is no specific study conducted in regard to the impact of air pollution on cognitive and motor impairment of children.”

Yadav was answering a question by Bharatiya Janata Party MP Vijaypal Singh Tomar on whether children were more vulnerable to air pollution as exposure to highly polluted air damages brain development and leads to cognitive and motor impairments. Tomar asked the government to provide details of the precautionary measures taken since thousands of children die prematurely every year because of polluted air.