— Prenatal Health and Pollution —

Air pollution and other environmental toxins have harmful impacts on everyone, but pregnant mothers and their fetuses are often more vulnerable to health harms. Researchers recommend that mothers should take additional caution with air quality standards and alter their habits accordingly, such as exercising indoors on poor quality days. You can check the air quality index in your area here.

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In The News

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Study: Fracking Industry Wells Associated With Premature Birth

John Hopkins News (October 8, 2015)

Expectant mothers who live near active natural gas wells operated by the fracking industry in Pennsylvania are at an increased risk of giving birth prematurely and for having high-risk pregnancies, new research suggests.

Preterm Births Linked to Air Pollution Cost Billions in the U.S.

TIME (March 29, 2016)

According to new research, air pollution leads to 16,000 premature births in the United States each year, leading to billions of dollars in economic costs.

Study Links Gas Flares to Preterm Births, With Hispanic Women at High Risk

New York Times (July 22, 2020)

Pregnant women who lived near areas where flaring is common had 50 percent greater odds of giving birth prematurely than those who did not. These births occurred before 37 weeks of gestation, when incomplete development raises a baby’s chance of numerous disorders, even death.

Prenatal air pollution exposure tied to childhood blood sugar

Reuters (January 9, 2020)

Kids who are exposed to air pollution in the womb may have higher blood sugar levels during childhood, suggesting that particle pollution could be an environmental risk factor for diabetes.

Air Pollution Linked to Detrimental Pregnancy Outcomes, Review Finds

AJMC (June 30, 2020)

Researchers reviewed 58 studies and found ozone and PM 2.5 were associated with preterm birth, low birth weight at term, and stillbirth across all U.S. geographic regions, with higher risks for Black mothers.