Abstract
M.A. (Psychology)
The study of behavioural toxicology was started in 1972 with the
Port Pirie Cohort study and therefor a relative young field.
Little information is available about the effect of cigarette
smoke, containing the toxic substance carbon monoxide, on the
neurocognitive functioning of children.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether carbon
monoxide has an effect on the neurocognitive functioning of
children, more specifically as it relates to school performance.
A group of school children was selected in the Vaal Triangle area
who were sUbjected to a large quantity of cigarette smoke during
the day and a group of children was selected who had no contact
with any cigarette smoke during the day. The results of these
groups were compared.
From the results obtained it appears that
cigarette smoke, would have a negative
neurocognitive functioning of the children.