Air pollution reduces infant weight

Toxic substances in dirty air can reduce the weight of human fetuses.

Researchers in 14 regions of 9 countries - including South Korea and Canada - gather data on atmospheric micro dust concentrations and the exposure of dirty air to pregnant women. Much of the micro dust comes from the smoke of motorized vehicles and the factory.

The team then analyzed data during pregnancy and childbirth of three million women in 14 regions. With three million cases, this is the largest study of the relationship between infant weight and atmospheric pollution, Livescience reported.

A group of women wear masks when exercising in the North City
Kinh, China to prevent dirty air. (Photo: Xinhua News Agency)

Analysis results show that, if the micro dust concentration increases by 10 micrograms per cubic meter of air, the infant's weight decreases by 8.9 grams and the child's risk of underweight increases by 3%.

Infants who weigh less than the standard level (prescribed by the state of the individual population) face a higher risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and behavioral disorders than other children. .

"This study raises our confidence in the impact of dirty air on infant weight , " said Tracey Woodruff, reproductive health specialist at the University of California in the US and a member of the team. study, speak.

However, the research team acknowledged that it is likely that the weight of the newborn depends on a number of other important factors related to the mother - such as income, education level, and smoking habits. , daily physical activity level.