From the moment a woman finds out she is pregnant, her priorities change. She begins caring for herself with greater attention, taking prenatal vitamins, a nutritious diet, and staying away from harmful substances like alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine. Every choice a mother makes is to give her baby the best start. But what happens when the very air she breathes becomes a silent threat to her health and her baby’s future?
Pregnancy is a critical period in a baby’s development, during which the foetus forms and matures all its vital organs. When a mother inhales polluted air, her baby is exposed to harmful particles, affecting organ development and potentially causing life-long health challenges. Airborne pollutants, especially particulate matter—tiny toxic solid and liquid particles suspended in the air—have been linked to premature births, low birth weight, and in severe cases, infant mortality. These pollutants can also affect neurodevelopment and cognitive abilities and increase the risk of chronic respiratory conditions like asthma.
Air pollution is a serious danger to millions of pregnant women and their babies, with newborns being particularly vulnerable. In this article, we’ll explore five effects of air pollution on the health of pregnant mothers and their babies. But first, let’s discuss what air pollution is.
Understanding Air Pollution and Its Components
Air pollution occurs when harmful substances contaminate the air we breathe - indoors and outdoors. These pollutants can be chemicals, physical agents, or biological organisms that alter the natural composition of the atmosphere.
Common sources of air pollution include:
- Household combustion devices - Stoves, heaters, and fireplaces
- Motor vehicles - Cars, trucks, and buses
- Industrial facilities - Factories and power plants
- Natural sources - Forest fires, volcanic eruptions, and dust storms
Key pollutants contributing to air pollution include:
- Particulate Matter (PM): Microscopic particles that can enter the lungs and bloodstream, causing health issues.
- Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂): A gas from vehicles and industrial emissions, linked to respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
- Carbon Monoxide (CO): A colourless, odourless gas from incomplete combustion that reduces oxygen delivery to tissues.
- Ozone (O₃): A key component of smog that can irritate the respiratory system and worsen asthma.
- Sulfur dioxide (SO₂): A gas released by burning fossil fuels that can cause respiratory problems and contribute to acid rain.
These indoor and outdoor pollutants enter the body when we breathe them in and can pass through the body's natural barriers, leading to serious health problems like respiratory diseases, heart disease, and lung cancer. They are major causes of illness and death around the world.
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Why Pregnant Women and Newborns Are Particularly Vulnerable?
Pregnant women and their newborns are sensitive to the effects of air pollution due to changes in their bodies during pregnancy. During pregnancy, a woman’s body changes, including a 20% rise in oxygen consumption, a 40% to 50% increase in minute ventilation, and a 40% boost in cardiac output. These changes lead to a higher intake of air pollutants, which can circulate throughout the body, cross the placenta, and reach the developing baby, affecting their health and disrupting their development.
Newborns are especially at risk because their immune systems and organs are still in the early stages of development. Their delicate bodies are not fully prepared to handle the toxic burden of air pollution.
Several factors contribute to increased vulnerability:
- Immune dysfunction: Pollution can cause changes in the immune system, leading to increased inflammation and allergic reactions.
- Epigenetic changes: Pollution may affect how genes function, possibly leading to long-term health problems.
- Oxidative stress: Exposure to pollutants can increase oxidative stress, damaging cells and tissues in both the mother and baby.
5 Effects of Air Pollution on Pregnancy and Newborns
Now that you understand air pollution, let's explore its effect on pregnancy and the developing baby.
Here are five effects of air pollution on pregnancy:
1. Premature Birth
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution contributes to nearly six million premature births globally each year. Pregnant women living in polluted areas are more likely to go into preterm labour which increases the risk of low birth weight, underdeveloped lungs in the baby, and death of the baby during or after the birth.
2. Intrauterine Growth Retardation or Low Birth Weight
Exposure to toxic air pollutants during pregnancy can interfere with the delivery of essential nutrients critical for fetal development. This disruption can lead to babies being born with low birth weight, often resulting in unusually small size and underdeveloped lungs and organs. Such developmental challenges may have lasting health implications for the baby.
3. Stillbirth
Stillbirth refers to the death of a foetus after the 20th week of pregnancy (second trimester). A study suggests that exposure to ambient air pollution during pregnancy is linked to an increased risk of stillbirth, with the highest risk occurring in the third trimester.
4. Long-term Respiratory Issues
When pregnant women breathe polluted air, sooty particles reach the placenta through the bloodstream, disrupting the foetus’s lung development. Such toxic exposure can cause long-term respiratory issues, such as asthma and allergies.
5. Autism
Several studies conducted worldwide have indicated that exposure to air pollution can increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in babies. A Harvard study stated women who were exposed to high particulate matter pollution during their third trimester were twice as likely to deliver an autistic child, especially if they lived near a highway where particulate matter levels are highest.
Ways to Minimise the Negative Effects of Air Pollution on Pregnancy
The risks that air pollution poses to pregnant women and newborns are significant. To protect maternal and neonatal health, it is essential to reduce exposure to harmful pollutants and take steps to address the issue.
Here are practical measures to minimise the air pollution effects on pregnancy and the baby:
- Opt for public transportation, carpooling, or electric vehicles to reduce your contribution to air pollution.
- Use a humidifier to maintain indoor air quality and reduce airborne pollutants, especially during dry seasons.
- Avoid burning candles and using air fresheners, and choose fragrance-free, non-toxic cleaning products to minimise exposure to harmful indoor chemicals.
- Install a high-efficiency air filter to reduce indoor pollution.
- Invest in indoor plants known for their air-purifying properties, such as snake plants or peace lilies, but ensure they are safe for your home environment.
- Install a carbon monoxide detector to prevent CO poisoning.
- Inspect your home for mould and hire professionals to remove it if necessary.
- Ensure no smoking indoors and request smokers to change clothes before entering the house.
- Stay indoors when outdoor pollution levels are high, and check air quality reports to plan safer times for outdoor activities.
- If air quality becomes extremely hazardous, consider relocating to a safer area.
- Limit outdoor physical activity during peak pollution hours, typically early morning or late evening in urban areas.
- Wash your hands and face after coming indoors to remove any pollutants on your skin.
- Wear a mask when using strong cleaning products or paint to avoid inhaling harmful substances.
- Use apps or alerts to monitor local air pollution levels and adjust your activities accordingly.
Talk to a healthcare provider for more advice on reducing the risks of pregnancy complications related to air pollution.
Take Away
Air pollution is a health hazard for both pregnant women and their babies, leading to various adverse outcomes. Raising awareness and adopting preventive measures, such as limiting outdoor activities, wearing face masks, using air filters, and planting trees and air-purifying plants, is essential to protecting maternal and infant health.
Air pollution and pregnancy are closely linked and addressing this issue is key to ensuring a healthier future for coming generations.
