Source: Xinhua

04-10-2009 09:58

LOS ANGELES, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The normal growth of a developing fetus may be slowed if pregnant women are exposed to air pollution, a new study has found.

Air pollution is threatening human's healthy.(File photo)

The risk of a small birth-weight baby increased significantly with each increase in particulate matter of 4 micrograms per cubic meter during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy, according to the study.

Each 10 parts per billion increase in nitrogen oxide exposure was also associated with a large increase in the risk of a small birth-weight baby, found the study, conducted by researchers at the School of Public Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

The study also found that exposure to particulate matter in later pregnancy was associated with a two- to fivefold increased risk of restricted fetal growth among mothers with separation of the placenta before birth and premature rupture of the membrane, compared with mothers who did not have these complications.

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