A new study by economists at the University of California, Berkeley, has found that girls who grow up in areas with more air pollution are less likely to do well in math class. The study, which was published in the journal "Science Advances," is the first to examine the link between air pollution and math performance in girls.

The researchers analyzed data from over 1 million students in California who took the state's standardized math test in 2015. They found that girls who lived in areas with high levels of air pollution scored significantly lower on the test than girls who lived in areas with low levels of air pollution.

The researchers also found that the link between air pollution and math performance was stronger for girls from lower-income families. This suggests that air pollution may be exacerbating existing educational inequalities.

The researchers say that their findings are concerning because math skills are essential for success in many fields, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). They call for further research to investigate the mechanisms by which air pollution may affect math performance, and for policies to reduce air pollution in order to improve educational outcomes for girls.

The study's findings are consistent with previous research that has found that air pollution can negatively affect cognitive development in children. Air pollution has been linked to a range of health problems, including respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. It is thought that air pollution may also damage the brain, leading to problems with memory, attention, and learning.

The new study adds to the growing body of evidence that air pollution is a serious threat to children's health and development. It also highlights the importance of policies to reduce air pollution in order to protect children from its harmful effects.