The effect of pollution on family health is a major concern for those living in and around big cities. This is especially the case when it comes to the wellbeing of pregnant women and the development of their children. An alarming new research report suggests that urban air pollution has a direct effect on the weight of newborn babies, increasing the chance of women giving birth to small babies. Though the effect on birth weight seems small, it is statistically significant and may represent a real impact at a national scale. The consequences of low birth weight affect many other aspects of child wellness, including an increased risk of infant death, chronic health conditions and slowed mental development. The study is the largest of its kind, and takes into account millions of births around the world.
The international study focused on carbon particles called PM10s and PM2.5s, already known to be linked to heart and lung conditions. These pollutants originate from coal-powered processes, especially diesel exhaust fumes and coal-powered factories. These microscopic carbon particles form unavoidable contents of the air breathed by city dwellers, and unarguably have an adverse effect on the health of all. The research, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, looked at the effect of a 10 microgramme per cubic metre increase in exposure to carbon particles over the period of a pregnancy. In the case of PM10 particles, the risk of having a low birth-weight was increased by 0.03%, and for PM2.5s, the risk increased by an alarming 10%. This trend appears to be consistent in all parts of the world, and low birth-weight risk is seen to directly correlate to the extent of air pollution in the area assessed.
Fossil fuels, already known to be one of the main causes of global warming, are proven beyond doubt to damage human health as well. Professor Tanja Pless-Mulloli strongly states the significance of low birth weight, claiming that it leads to a much greater risk of health problems later in life for these individuals. In the case of the UK, the main culprit is vehicle fumes, as we have already cut out a large part of fossil fuel-driven industrial processes. While much has been done to counter air pollution in the UK, the presence of these fumes is still a statistically significant fact of life, and has major importance to public health.
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