Link between Air Pollution and Preterm Birth Possible

There could be a link between air pollution and preterm birth, according to a new study published in medical journal Epidemiology.  The scientists behind the report emphasised that there was not a definite connection between air pollution and preterm delivery, but did highlight how their findings backed the theory up to some degree.

Air Pollution Exposure

Historically, air pollution exposure studies have drawn up associations between exposure to airborne pollutants during the first and last three months of pregnancy (the first trimester and the third trimester) to a higher risk of delivering a baby ahead of schedule.  This new study assessed the impact of air pollution on over 476,000 pregnant women living in Atlanta over the course of a decade.  Daily pollution readings were collated and assessed, with the result that three air pollutants in particular were isolated from the rest in connection with the impact they could have. 

Preterm Deliveries

In non-general terms, the risk of preterm deliveries increased slightly during times when there was more fine particulate matter in the air.  Matter of this kind is produced both by car exhausts, and as a result of certain industrial processes.  The strongest link, though, was found where NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) was present, according to Atlanta-based Emory University’s Lyndsey A. Darrow.  Nitrogen dioxide is also emitted by car exhausts, although cars fitted with catalytic converters  work to break the gas up into nitrogen and oxygen. 

In locations where N20 had been in the air at levels above the norm for six weeks, births that took place immediately after this period were notably earlier, the scientists reported. 

However, the report stopped short of asserting that pregnant women living in high pollution areas were 100 per cent more susceptible to delivering babies pre-term.

“The scientific evidence is mixed as to whether or not urban air pollution has an effect on foetal development”, Dr Darrow told news agency Reuters, adding that women carrying children that wanted to try and mitigate the effects of air pollution might want to avoid areas with high traffic concentrations. 

See also:

Low Child IQ Scores Linked to Urban Air Pollution

60% of American Breath Dangerous Polluted Air