Exposure to smoke from fires in pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth. I study

    Exposure to smoke from fires in pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth. I study

    Even limited exposure to PM 2,5 in smoke has resulted in thousands of premature births in California

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    That fires have a negative impact on the environment and on the health of animals and humans is quite obvious. Exposure to the smoke from firesHowever, it not only leads to respiratory problems but can also increase the risk of premature birth.





    To investigate the effects of smoke from the fires on women in pregnancy are the researchers of Stanford University, in California, a country hit just recently by devastating fires.

    Also read: California fires incinerate 21 acres of land and wipe out an entire country

    The study, published a few days ago in the journal Environmental Research, highlighted how exposure to smoke from the fires did increase premature births to 7.000 between the 2007 and the 2012.

    The births took place before 37 weeks of pregnancy, when the fetus is not yet fully developed, therefore with the real risk of complications.

    The substance responsible for premature births is the PM 2,5, that is, the fine particulate matter present in the smoke that rises from forest fires. This pollutant is fine enough to reach the lungs and bloodstream. The presence of this substance in the body causes ainflammation which would lead to early childbirth.

    Read also: Smoke from fires lowers immunity and increases deaths from Covid-19. I study

    Breathing air rich in PM 2,5 for a week results in a 3,4% increased risk of giving birth before term. The exhibition during the second trimester, between the 14th and 26th week of pregnancy, showed the greatest risk.

    According to the researchers, the smoke from the forest fires may have contributed to over the 6% of premature births in California in 2008, the year in which more fires occurred. The study also found that it doesn't exist a safe level of exposure: Any PM 2,5 exposure above zero could have negative impacts on health and pregnancy.



    The results are worrying, both because PM 2,5 is found in high quantities in polluted air in cities around the world and because fires are unfortunately destined to increase due to global warming, exposing more and more people to health risks.

    So what to do in case of fire if you are pregnant? For reduce risks, experts recommend staying indoors as much as possible, avoiding opening doors and windows, perhaps equipping the home with an air filtration system. This means organizing yourself with adequate supplies and planning your outings carefully.

    If you need to go out, for example for visits and exams, better wear masks with a high filtering capacity and do not carry out any strenuous outdoor activity, as more intense breathing leads to introducing greater quantities of air into the lungs. These latter tips might also be helpful if you live in one cities where the air is particularly polluted.


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    Reference source: Environmental Research

    Read also:

    •  "It is fine particles that affect infections": new study officially associates PM2.5 with the spread of Covid
    • The effects of particulate matter (PM2.5) and fine dust in your body  
    • Fire apocalypse in California: fires return once again, 100 thousand people evacuated  
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