Traffic fumes can reach babies still in the womb
TINY particles of soot have been found in the placentas of pregnant women for the first time. The discovery shows inhaled traffic fumes can reach unborn babies – crossing the placenta which had been thought to screen it.
The microscopic bits were on the foetus side of the placenta in women exposed to air pollution in pregnancy.
Scientists found the ‘ most alarming aspect’ was that it was affecting women living in areas considered not particularly polluted by World Health Organisation standards.
Dr Hannelore Bove and Professor Tim Nawrot at Hasselt University in Belgium who led the research team wrote that their findings suggest ‘that black carbon particulates could be transported towards the foetus and explain the detrimental health effects of pollution from early life on’.
They used high-resolution imaging to detect the particles and found that ten pregnant women in areas with high black carbon particle levels had much higher levels in the placenta than ten in areas where the pollution levels were significantly lower.
The researchers said it is important to understand how these particles affect pregnancy – through direct effects on the foetus or indirect effects through the mother – to improve pregnancy care. Other experts said that the findings were a cause for concern.
Associate Professor Christine Jasoni at the University of Otago, New Zealand, said: ‘When a pregnant mother is exposed to air pollution there are long-term consequences for her offspring. The biggest risk is low birth weight, which significantly increases life-long risk for a collection of diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular, asthma and stroke.
‘ The prospect of disease acquisition by this route adds a whole other dimension to how we get sick; and with decreasing air quality worldwide, presents a potentially enormous burden on global health.’
Andrew Shennan, Professor of Obstetrics, King’s College London, said: ‘Small particles, such as through smoking, can cause considerable disease related to the placenta.
‘Both the function and structure of the placenta is important, not only to the baby’s growth and wellbeing, but also to that of the mother.
‘High blood pressure and fits in pregnancy have been linked to household pollution.’
Associate Professor Jennifer Salmond at the University of Auckland said: ‘This suggests that the smallest particles can cross through the lungs into the bloodstream where they can do a lot of harm.’
The research was published in Nature Communications yesterday.
‘Biggest risk is low birth weight’