A new study by Emory University researchers, published Thursday in Environmental Science & Technology, found that exposure to the tiny particles in air pollution during pregnancy can disrupt maternal metabolisms, altering key biological pathways.
A new study by Emory University researchers, published Thursday in Environmental Science & Technology, found that exposure to the tiny particles in air pollution during pregnancy can disrupt maternal metabolisms, altering key biological pathways. These changes were associated with increased risk of various negative birth outcomes, including premature birth.
The study, which analyzed blood samples provided by 330 pregnant women from the Atlanta metropolitan area, is believed to be the first to investigate how exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) commonly found in air pollution affects the metabolism of pregnant women and contributes to increased risks of preterm and early term births.
“The link between air pollution and premature birth has been well established, but for the first time we were able to look at the detailed pathway and specific fine particles to identify how they are reflected in the increased risk of adverse birth outcomes,” says Donghai Liang, PhD, study lead author and associate professor of environmental health at the Rollins School of Public Health. “This is important because if we can figure out the ‘why’ and ‘how’ then we can know better how to address it.”
Read more at: Emory University
Donghai Liang, PhD, (left), associate professor of environmental health at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, led a study that identified tiny particles in air pollution that are associated with negative birth outcomes. (Photo Credit: Emory University)
