Large Study Finds Link Between Air Pollution and Lower Birth Weight

A new study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives on Wednesday has found that pregnant women who are exposed to air pollution are more likely to have babies with a lower birth weight. Researchers looked at data from more than 3 million pregnancies and births in nine different countries in order to reach their conclusions.

As noted by MyHealthNewsDaily, low birth weight is known to increase the overall risk of infant mortality. It also can contribute to both physical and behavioral problems in children later on.

Here is some of the key information that has emerged from this new multinational study regarding air pollution and birth weight.

* Researchers looked at a total of 14 different sites, measuring each one's level of air pollution, or particulates. Air pollution included that contributed by factories, power plants, automobile exhaust, and as MyHealthNewsDaily noted, "even dust."

* Overall, the study found that incremental increases in the amount of air pollution present per cubic meter of air at any one location translated into a direct increase in the risk that a woman who was pregnant at that site would deliver a baby who was low birth weight.

* Specifically, for each 10-microgram increase in air pollution per cubic meter of air, an infant was 3 percent more likely to be born at a lower birth weight.

* The Guardian noted on Wednesday that the study looked at two particular type of particulates known as PM10s and PM2.5s, which are incredibly small and have been linked in the past to cardiovascular problems and lung issues such as asthma or lung cancer, as well as premature death.

* An increased presence of PM10s -- particulate matter that is 10 micrometers in size or less -- appeared to correlate with a 3 percent increase in the chance that a baby would be born at a lower birth weight, while an increased presence of PM2.5s -- particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometers in size or less -- appeared to correlate with a more severe risk increase of 10 percent.

* Professor Tanja Pless-Mulloli, who oversaw the U.K.'s participation in the study, told The Guardian on Wednesday that the largest culprits in the levels of air pollution monitored by researchers "mainly come from the burning of fossil fuels," with "vehicle fumes" replacing the past hazards of burning coal.

* A HealthDay News report on Wednesday noted that the link that the study found between low birth weight and air pollution is an "association," not a "cause-and-effect relationship." More research will be needed to establish a direct cause-and-effect link.

Vanessa Evans is a musician and freelance writer based in Michigan, with a lifelong interest in health and nutrition issues.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/large-study-finds-between-air-pollution-lower-birth-190100738.html

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