Air pollution during pregnancy and ... | Article | H1 Connect

Air pollution is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world, particularly in individuals with existing lung disease. Children may be particularly sensitive to the health effects of particulate matter (PM) exposure, and early exposure during critical time points in lung development may lead to lasting impacts on lung function. While some studies suggest in utero and infancy PM exposure leads to lower lung function, others have not supported the relationship between early PM exposure and lung function decrements. In this Swiss study, maternal exposure to PM less than 10μg in aerodynamic diameter (PM10) measured daily during pregnancy was not found to be associated with lung volumes in 241 healthy newborns. This Recommendation is of an article referenced in an F1000 Faculty Review also written by Nadia Hansel and Laura Paulin.