New Delhi: Exposure to particulate matter (PM) 2.5 pollution is associated with heightened inflammation levels in pregnant women, potentially leading to complications such as low birth weight and preterm birth, a recent study reveals. Published in Science Advances, the study offers new insights into how air pollution impacts pregnancy at a cellular level.
PM2.5 refers to airborne particles measuring 2.5 micrometres or smaller, originating from sources such as vehicular and industrial emissions, wildfires, and dust. Researchers from Harvard University’s School of Public Health conducted the study, highlighting the biological pathways through which air pollution affects maternal and foetal health.
Key Findings
The study found that PM2.5 exposure can disrupt histones—proteins crucial for DNA structure and cellular function—in pregnant women. This disruption affects cytokine genes, which regulate immune responses, leading to increased inflammation in both the mother and foetus.
“These modifications in histones and cytokines could provide insight into the toxicological mechanisms driving inflammation and pregnancy complications,” the researchers explained.
Heightened inflammation, they noted, is linked to adverse outcomes such as:
- Low birth weight
- Preterm birth
- Developmental delays
Call for Action
Co-author Youn Soo Jung emphasized the importance of reducing air pollution exposure among pregnant women. “Policy interventions to improve air quality and clinical guidelines for pregnant women to minimize exposure can directly reduce pregnancy complications,” said Soo Jung.
What Sets This Study Apart
While previous research has linked PM2.5 pollution to complications in maternal and child health, this is the first study to explore its effects at the cellular level. The research used data from the US Environmental Protection Agency to calculate average PM2.5 exposure among both pregnant and non-pregnant women.
The findings underline the urgent need for:
- Stricter air quality policies to protect vulnerable populations, including pregnant women.
- Education and awareness programs to help expecting mothers minimize exposure.
Implications for Public Health
This groundbreaking study underscores the far-reaching consequences of air pollution on human health, particularly for pregnant women and their unborn children. As air quality continues to deteriorate in urban areas, these findings stress the need for immediate action to mitigate pollution’s impact on public health.
