Babies are much more likely to be born prematurely or underweight if exposed to high levels of air pollution in the womb, according to a new study released today.
Babies are much more likely to be born prematurely or underweight if exposed to high levels of air pollution in the womb, according to a new study released today.
The study of pregnant women in Southwestern Ontario showed even a one-part-per-billion increase in sulfur dioxide levels makes the women 3.4 times more likely to have a low-birthweight baby and twice as likely to give birth prematurely.
The main source of sulfur dioxide emissions is burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas.
“Our findings are in keeping with other research – and evidence is accumulating that toxic air travels through pregnant women’s lungs and are found in their placentas,” said Geography professor Jason Gilliland, a scientist at Children’s Health Research Institute. “There is definitely a major concern for pregnant women who live in areas with high exposure to sulfur dioxide.
Continue reading at Western University.
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