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Scientists have found the first evidence that air pollution particles pass through the lungs of pregnant women and lodge in their placentas.
Toxic air is already strongly related to adverse effects on fetuses, but the way the damage is caused is unknown. The new study, involving mothers living in London, UK, revealed soot particles in the placentas of each of their babies and researchers say that it's entirely possible that the particles also enter the fetus.
"It's a disturbing problem – there is a massive association between the air pollution that a mother inspires and the effect it has on the fetus," he said. said Dr. Lisa Miyashita, of Queen Mary University. "It is always good if possible to take less polluted routes if you are pregnant – or even if you are not pregnant. I avoid busy roads when I head for the train station.
A series of previous studies have shown that air pollution greatly increases the risk of premature birth and low birth weight, with adverse effects on health for life. A large study of more than 500,000 births in London, published in December, confirmed the link and led physicians to say that the consequences for millions of women in the polluted cities of the world are "a public health disaster".
Scientists are increasingly finding that air pollution causes health problems far beyond the lungs. In August, research found that air pollution results in a "significant" reduction in intelligence, while in 2016, toxic nanoparticles from air pollution were discovered in the air. human brain.
The new research examined the placenta of five non-smoking women who all gave birth to healthy babies. Researchers have isolated macrophage cells, which are part of the immune system and engulf harmful particles such as bacteria and air pollution.
Using an optical microscope, they found 72 dark particles among 3,500 cells and then used a powerful electron microscope to examine the shape of some particles. They were very similar to soot particles in macrophages in the lungs, which capture many, but not all, particles.
Although further analysis is needed for final confirmation, Dr. Miyashita said, "We can not think of anything else. It is very obvious to us that they are black soot particles. Previous experiments have shown that particles inhaled by pregnant animals cross the bloodstream to reach the placenta.
"We do not know if the particles we found could also move into the fetus, but our evidence suggests that it's actually possible," said Dr. Norrice Liu, also at Queen Mary University from London and part of the team. "We also know that particles do not need to enter the baby's body to have an adverse effect, because if they have an effect on the placenta, this will have a direct impact on the fetus."
The research is presented Sunday at the International Congress of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) in Paris. "This research suggests a possible mechanism of how babies are affected by pollution while theoretically protected in the uterus," said Professor Mina Gaga, president of the ERS and at the University of California. Athens Hospital in Greece.
"This should sensitize doctors and the public to the harmful effects of air pollution on pregnant women," she said, noting that fetal harm can occur even below current pollution limits in pregnant women. ;European Union. "We need stricter policies for cleaner air to reduce the impact of pollution on health worldwide, as we are already seeing a new population of young adults with health problems."
UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake recently warned of the danger of air pollution in babies:
Separate research, also presented at the ERS congress, showed that children with early and persistent asthma learned much less from it in education than those who did not. Asthma in children has long been linked to air pollution.
The study, conducted over 20 years in Sweden, showed that children with asthma were three and a half times more likely to leave school at the age of 16 with basic education.
Dr. Christian Schyllert, of the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, said: "This study suggests [these] children have greater opportunities for education and future employment. According to him, one of the possible reasons could be that children with asthma are less likely to attend school.
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