Air Pollution May Be Bad for Fetuses

Fetal growth slows in areas with traffic pollution.

SUMMARY: Air pollution may slow the growth of fetuses, researchers have said. Scientists looked at 36,000 births in New Jersey and took note of the levels of air pollution during the pregnancies of the mothers.

They found that the risk of a small birth-weight baby increased with the increase in particulate matter of 4 micrograms per cubic meter during the first and third trimesters. A 10 parts per billion increase in nitrogen oxide exposure was also linked to small birth-weights. Especially vulnerable were babies of mothers who in later pregnancies experienced separation of the placenta before birth and premature rupture of the membrane.

The findings suggest that traffic pollution or living near a major road could be linked to restricted fetal growth. These findings were published online in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

While it's not clear exactly how air pollution affects fetal growth, some previous research discovered air pollution might alter cell activity or reduce the amount of oxygen and nutrients received by a fetus.

To read the entire article click on this U.S. NEWS link.

COMMENT: If any Christian believes that environmental issues are never important for followers of Jesus, a story like this one should get him/her to reconsider. Yes, some environmental issues such as global warming, animal rights, and anti-coal burning may be subjects for legitimate debate. Yet, not all matters dealing with the environment should be automatically rejected.

If it is true that exhausts from heavy traffic are harming unborn babies (and the linked article uses the word "may"), I believe we ought to take note. To be consistent, we can't be pro-life when it comes to abortion but not pro-life on other issues.

Of course, replacing all the cars on the road with cleaner vehicles is going to take time. Also, there are other questions to consider such as whether smaller, "greener" cars are as safe as larger autos or as affordable as some more traditional cars. However, the least we can do is to follow this discussion and support engineers who are trying to develop healthier vehicles. For what it's worth, that is my opinion.

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QUESTION OF THE DAY

What are some possible remedies for hiccups?

Holding your breath, breathing into a paper bag, sipping a glass of water slowly without breathing, placing a finger into each ear, stroking the back of the throat with a swab, or swallowing a teaspoon of table sugar are all possible remedies.

Source: Consumer Reports OnHealth (May, 2009)

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B031 - EXPLORING PLANET EARTH
by John Tiner

Essentially a social studies book that traces the history of the exploration of the Earth from B.C. times to the present. Well written and heavily illustrated, it could be a valuable supplementary textbook in upper grades and high school. Question page after each chapter. 1997. 160 pages.

Join LSI and rent this book for $3.