Yikes! Air Pollution Makes Its Way to Human Placentas!

By Stewart Lonky, M.D.

A study by European researchers found that black soot, or black carbon, from cars exhausts and burning fossil fuels, can make its way to the womb, possibly harming the developing fetus.

In the study, published in the journal Nature Communications, researchers identified black soot particles on the fetal side of all the 20 placentas they studied.

The researchers concluded that black carbon could travel from the mother's lungs to the placenta, which acts as the interface between the mother and fetus during pregnancy.

Studies have linked black carbon to heart and breathing problems, diseases such as cancer, and low birth weight and preterm births. The researchers said that black carbon could explain these defects.

The researchers added that further tests were needed to determine if the soot particles can reach the fetus. However, it's known that small particles, such as those acquired through cigarette smoking, can cause placental disease.

The placenta is key to nourishing and supporting all a baby's needs in utero. So, keeping mother and child healthy by limiting exposure to particulate matter air pollution should be the highest priority.

Source: Newsweek LiveScience