Scientists confirm pregnant women Immn will not be affected by air pollution

Scientists at the University Health Network (UHN) in Cork have confirmed that pregnant women are at low risk of being exposed to harmful levels of air pollution such as fine particulate matter (fine particulate matter from diesel exhaust fumes) and fine-particulate matter (fine particulate matter from air pollution) during pregnancy. Their analysis has concluded that women with and without both symptoms of pre-eclampsia are unlikely to be adversely affected by exposure to fine particulate matter andor fine-particulate matter during their pregnancy. Their study in The Lancet is published on the same day as the publication of the prestigious journal Science Advances.

Fine particulate matter is a tiny amount of air particles that are highly present in the environment and have the potential to cause considerable harm to public health. Fine particulate matter made by the action of small electric particles may be harmful to the health of a pregnant woman or her unborn child. Fine particulate matter from several sources has been shown to be known to be harmful to a developing baby and can increase the risk for certain diseases such as asthma.

Fine particulate matter exposure during pregnancy in environmental-exposed animals.

The study involved 47 pregnant women who were enrolled in the city of Corks Community Alliance for Air Quality. Delivered by midwifery Aoife McGinley in February 2019 the study resulted in the conclusion that no exposure at or above family peroxidase (PACE) level of PM2. 5 above 0. 5 micrograms per cubic meter was associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes such as preeclampsia on day 24 of pregnancy or neonatal abstinence syndrome. No effective intervention strategy to reduce the risk has been identified.

Fine particulate matter exposure during pregnancy.

Fine particulate matter comes from cars factories power stations smoke-filled spaces and is present in a variety of other products such as cosmetics. Exposure to fine particulate matter before or as part of pregnancy constitutes a risk factor for the development of pre-eclampsia and neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Fine particulate matter exposure during pregnancy still exceeds the possibility of hospital exposure. But within a small group of apparently healthy women pre-eclampsia occurred at a water deficit to the typical family level. The children developed pre-eclampsia requiring neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Dr Aoife McGinley maternity and neonatal intensive care specialist University Health Network Cork.