Pregnant women beware! Scientists have discovered air pollution particles in the placenta. Scientists have found air pollution particles on the fetal side of the placenta, indicating that the fetus may be directly exposed to black carbon from vehicle traffic and fuel combustion. This study, published in *Nature Communications*, is the first to confirm that air pollution particles inhaled by the mother can penetrate the placenta. The authors observed thousands of particles per cubic millimeter in the placenta of each study subject. The scientific community has already established a link between exposure to polluted air and increased miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight. The Guardian reports that the study further indicates that this is not only due to inflammatory responses following maternal exposure to pollution, but the air pollution particles themselves may also be a cause. The harm caused by air pollution to the fetus can have lifelong effects. Professor Tim Nawrot of the University of Hasselt in Belgium said, \"This is the most vulnerable period of life. All organ systems are developing. To protect future generations, we must reduce exposure to air pollution.\" He stated that governments have a responsibility to reduce air pollution, but people should avoid busy roads as much as possible. A large-scale global literature review has found that air pollution can damage almost every organ and cell in the human body; nanoparticles can cross the blood-brain barrier, and billions have even been found in the hearts of urban children. While air pollution is decreasing in some countries, evidence is rapidly increasing that even low levels of air pollution can cause harm, and 90% of the world's population lives in areas with air pollution levels exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. This study examined the placentas of 25 non-smoking women in Hasselt, Belgium, a town with air pollution levels far below EU standards but above WHO standards. Researchers used laser technology to detect black carbon particles, which have a unique optical fingerprint. They found nanoparticles on the fetal side of the placenta in each participant, and the quantity correlated with the level of air pollution the mothers were exposed to. Mothers living near major roads had an average of 20,000 nanoparticles per cubic millimeter in their placentas. Those living further away had an average of 10,000 per cubic millimeter. Scientists also examined the placentas of women who had miscarried and found these particles even in fetuses as young as 12 weeks old. Nalott said the presence of air pollution particles on the fetal side of the placenta indicates that the fetus has likely been exposed to air pollution. Current research is analyzing fetal blood to explore whether these particles can cause DNA damage. The team also found black carbon particles in the urine of elementary school students. Their 2017 study found an average of 10 million particles per milliliter in the urine of hundreds of children aged 9 to 12. \"This shows that particles can migrate from the lungs to all organs and systems,\" Nalott said. Professor Jonathan Grigg, who first discovered air pollution particles in the placenta in September, affirmed the research: \"We found evidence of air pollution particles in all women \u2013 this doesn't seem like a single event,\" said Grigg from Queen Mary University of London. \"This means that very small particles are all around us every day.\" \"This new area of \u200b\u200bresearch allows us to focus on the direct effects of air pollution particles entering tissues, rather than particles entering the lungs and releasing substances that cause inflammation.\" Related research now shows that the damage caused by air pollution is comprehensive, including heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, decreased cognitive function, brittle bones, and damaged skin. The World Health Organization has called air pollution a \"public health crisis,\" and recent analysis shows that 8.8 million people die prematurely each year due to air pollution, and scientists suspect this may only be the tip of the iceberg. Source: Environmental Information Centre (2019\/09\/20)<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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