Pollution Linked to Low Birth Weight

Pollution Linked to Low Birth Weight

A recent study has indicated that pregnant mothers who are exposed to pollution are more likely to have babies who are born underweight.  This international study collected data from over three million births across 14 sites around the world.  The study concluded that there is correlation between amount of air polluting particles in the outdoor air and birth weight of children.  This correlation takes into consideration the mother’s socio-economic status and her occupation.

 The main cause of these harmful air particles come from the burning of fossil fuels.  Policy makers are being urged to change their pollution level regulations.  The particles that are causing this health problem are 5 times smaller than the width of a human hair.  The small size allows the particles to penetrate human airways and make it more difficult to expel them from the body.  They also contain various chemicals on their surfaces. 

 Children born with a low birth weight are more likely to have chronic health problems later on in life, including heart disease and stroke.  The article from health.india.com claims that 1 in every 4 babies born in India have a low birth weight.

 This pollution issue is a global social problem.  Indicated in the international study, pollution is affecting almost every corner of the globe, and the effects are detrimental to all humans.  It is a serious matter when pollution is harmful enough to affect the birth weight of babies.  If pollution can affect a person before they are even born, imagine what it is doing to a person throughout their life. 

Policy makers are being urged to change pollution level regulations, but not quickly enough.  Regulations should have been in place at the time the issue of pollution first arose.  When population levels are high enough to cause 1 in 4 births to be underweight, you can be assured this will have a great impact on society and the economy.  There will be a greater need for health care and other factors that come with low birth weight.  I don’t know if pollution regulation is a trial-and-error situation where law and policy makers weren’t aware of the harmful effects pollution can have before they allowed high pollution levels.  Or if the law makers did know that pollution can be very harmful, but they are trying to make as much money for their economy as possible, so they let these high levels of pollution slide.  Either way you put it, pollution is a BAD thing and it is harmful at ANY level. 

Carly Taylor

February 8, 2013  3:43 PM

 

Sources:

http://health.india.com/news/pollution-to-blame-for-low-birth-weight-among-babies/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9850358/Air-pollution-during-pregnancy-linked-to-low-birth-weight.html