Traffic Generates High Levels of Polluted Air Causing Premature Births

Air pollution is not only hazardous for the environment, it also has a negative effect on pregnant women. It was discovered that pregnant women who live near the roadways are considerably increasing the risk of premature birth. American scientists carried out a study in Los Angeles, the city famous for its endless traffic jams. They found the pregnant women living in the roadways of the Los Angeles area double the risk of premature birth.



Previously it was known that smog negatively influences human health, especially the health of those who suffer from asthma, high blood pressure and diseases related to cardiovascular system. All these people worsen their state when exposed to an increased level of air pollution. The team of researchers led by Jun Wu of the University of California discovered that air pollution from the car emissions has a negative effect of pregnant women that lived as far as three kilometers from a major roadways. Some roads in the area are stuffed with vehicles during the day, which creates huge smog in the air.



After analyzing medical records of 81,186 single child births and the levels of air pollution in the region, scientists found that women exposed to increased level of air pollution had 128 percent increase of a severely premature birth. In addition, exposure to air pollution increases the risk among pregnant women aged between 33 and 42 of developing preeclampsia, a disorder in which hypertension arises during pregnancy and affects both the mother and baby inside the womb. The condition forces doctors to induce premature birth to be able to save mothers\' lives. This information needs to be spread since a lot of women are unaware of the negative influence of living near car-stuffed streets, when the level of pollution registers a dramatic increase. It is advised that women close all windows and turn on their air conditioning in order to filter the air.



It is not the only study to analyze the connection between premature birth and air pollution. A number of researches were conducted over the last few years, in which scientists found more evidence of the way air pollution impacts pregnancy. Another pregnancy problem besides premature birth is overall low birth weight. In addition, pregnancy problems could lead to serious health problems of the child later in life. Michael Brauer of the University of British Columbia backs the study and says that doctors should stars warning women about the potential risks especially if women are to become mother soon. He considers that the warnings should be issued in the same way as those that caution about smoking, alcohol consumption and drinking energetic drinks that contain high level of caffeine. \"There is probably enough information now to make general statements about air pollution. It depends on what things people can modify in their life, but it might be a good idea to limit your time near traffic or change when you commute so it\'s not during rush hour,\" concluded Brauer.