A new study has found that air pollution exposure does not lead to early delivery or preeclampsia, according to findings presented at the Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology annual meeting.
In an effort to determine how exposure to air containing carbon monoxide and other fine particles affected pregnant women, researchers observed the eating habits and environment of more than 3,600 volunteers residing in Seattle before and after becoming pregnant. The team then examined information published in air quality reports, which included exposure while residents left their windows open on a daily basis.
The results of the study showed that despite the air pollution hazard, women didnt experience negative effects during their pregnancy, which include premature delivery and preeclampsia, a condition in which women suffer high blood pressure only during pregnancy.
“In this geographic setting and population, these two air pollutant exposures do not appear to increase risks of preeclampsia and preterm delivery,” said Carole Rudra, lead author and assistant professor of social and preventative medicine at the University of Buffalo.
Currently, more than 333,000 live births each year occur prematurely, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.