Air pollution does not up risk of premature delivery
By IANSMonday, July 5, 2010
LONDON - Exposure to carbon monoxide and fine particles during pregnancy does not shoot up the risk of premature delivery or other complications, according to a new study.
“There is strong evidence that air pollutants may increase risk of cardiovascular disease. This led me to examine air pollutants in relation to preeclampsia, which is similar to cardiovascular disease,” said Carole Rudra of the University by Buffalo.
Rudra conducted the research using data from 3,675 women to examine the effects of diet and environment on women’s health and nutrition before and during pregnancy.
Rudra and colleagues collected data from regional air-pollutant-monitoring reports on concentrations of carbon monoxide and minute airborne particles such as dust, fumes, mist, smog and smoke during specific exposure windows at residences.
The exposure windows were the three months before pregnancy, the total of the first four months of pregnancy, during each trimester, and the last month of pregnancy.
Analysis of the data showed the amount of air pollutant exposure at any of the collection times had no effect on either of the pregnancy problems, according to a University by Buffalo statement.
“In this geographic setting and population, these air pollutant exposures do not appear to increase risks of preeclampsia and preterm delivery,” she said.
Rudra presented these findings at the Society for Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology annual meeting in Seattle.
