A recent study reveals that pregnant women exposed to air pollution tend to give birth to smaller babies. Conversely, women residing in greener environments have larger offspring. These findings, reported by the New York Post, indicate that healthy surroundings may help mitigate the adverse effects of pollution on pregnancy, based on a study conducted in Northern Europe.
Lead researcher Robin Sinsamala from the University of Bergen in Norway shared insights on the study’s outcomes, stating, “Our results suggest that pregnant women exposed to air pollution, even at relatively low levels, give birth to smaller babies.”
The study’s data were drawn from the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe study, involving over 4,000 children and their mothers living in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, and Estonia. To assess the “greenness” of the areas where the pregnant women lived during their gestation, researchers measured the vegetation density in satellite images, including forests, farmland, and parks. The study also analyzed data on five pollutants: nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone, black carbon, and two types of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), comparing this information with the birth weights of the babies.
The research team accounted for various factors, including the women’s age, smoking habits, and health conditions. They found that higher levels of air pollution were associated with reduced birth weights. Specifically, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and black carbon were correlated with average birth weight reductions of 1.97 ounces (55.84 grams), 1.62 ounces (45.92 grams), and 1.69 ounces (47.91 grams), respectively.
It’s worth noting that the air pollution levels in these areas were still within European Union standards. However, when the research team factored in the “greenness” of the areas, the negative impact of air pollution on birth weight lessened. Women residing in greener environments gave birth to babies with slightly higher birth weights, averaging 0.95 ounces (26.93 grams) heavier than those born to mothers in more polluted areas.
Mr. Sinsamala proposed several explanations for this effect, suggesting that “green areas tend to have lower traffic or that plants help clear the air of pollution, or green areas may make it easier for pregnant women to engage in physical activity.” He emphasized the critical nature of the prenatal period for lung development in babies. These findings shed light on the importance of addressing air pollution and promoting green spaces to support healthy pregnancies and improve birth outcomes.