A new study from China has explored an issue of rapidly increasing importance: the effects of air pollution on early miscarriage rates.
The study followed pregnant women in Nanjing, China, where the annual mean concentrations of air pollutants are three times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends – measuring short-term exposure to six main air pollutants (CO, NO2, SO2, O3, PM2.5 and PM10), and rates of early pregnancy loss.
The study found that short-term CO and SO2 exposure was associated with early pregnancy loss within a 15-28 lag day period. It then suggested that air pollution could cross the uteroplacental barrier and disturb maternal hormone status, particularly progesterone levels.
The authors called for preventative and protective efforts to limit acute ambient air pollution, given its impact on human reproductive health and embryonic development.
I hope you have found this helpful, and do let me know if you have any questions!
If you are hungry for more evidence-based information for your fertility or pregnancy journey, visit www.myhealthypregnancyplan.com for free webinars and complete programs.
And if you are a care-provider looking for evidence-based resources for your fertility or pregnancy patients, please get in touch with us at support@myhealthypregnancyplan.com, or visit www.myhealthypregnancyplan.com/ce-courses-for-naturopathic-doctors.
In health,
Dr Jocelyn Land-Murphy, ND
Terra Life
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References:
Xu, Q. et al. (2023). Effect of short-term ambient air pollution exposure on early miscarriage and pregnancy hormones with critical window identification. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 460.