Environmental pollution increases the infant mortality rate

In a study conducted in Los Angeles, associate professor Michelle Wilhelm and scientists at the University of California reported 19,664 infant deaths in the Los Angeles area for 11 years, from 1989 to 2000. Approximately 3 million children were born during this time.

For each case of infant deaths, the researchers searched for 10 surviving children for comparison. They then checked the air pollution level in the living areas of all these children before dying two weeks, one month, two months and six months.

As a result, they found that the risk of death from respiratory-related illnesses in babies aged 7 to 12 months living in polluted environments is twice that of children living in a clean environment. The study also found that the younger the child, the higher the risk of dying from respiratory-related diseases, especially when children are constantly exposed to air that has lots of nitrous oxide and carbon oxides.

T.VY