Search Here

Raising concerns for pregnant women living in urban areas, a new study has found that traffic pollution can harm unborn babies.

The study from Spain identified pollution exposure of mothers during pregnancy and later measured lung function in children at 4.5 years old. They found that high exposure to benzene and nitrogen dioxide caused in reduced lung function in children. The study was carried out by researchers at Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology.

"Results suggest that exposure to traffic-related air pollutants acting during the prenatal period could adversely impact the developing lung. Public policies to reduce exposure to traffic-related air pollution may avoid harmful effects on lung development and function with substantial public health benefits," researchers wrote, according to a press release.

According to Business standard, the study involved 1,295 women whose exposure to traffic pollution was determined during pregnancy. They then assessed lung function using spirometry in children after birth. Their findings show that pregnant women living in areas with high benzene concentrations during second trimester imparted a 22 percent higher risk of impaired lung function to their children. The risk increased to 30 percent when mothers were exposed to nitrogen dioxide.

Nitrogen dioxide is a well known indicator of traffic pollution while benzene is associated with industrial pollutants. The researchers found no link between lung function and pollution exposure during other times.

"Policy makers need to heed data such as those presented by Morales et al as limiting exposure to traffic-related pollution during fetal development and early postnatal life is one way that the burden of respiratory disease can be decreased," said Professor Peter Sly, deputy director of the executive of the Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute.