Maternal exposure to air pollution may raise the risk for heart defects in an unborn child. In fact, the risks start before pregnancy begins. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2023/02/14/moms-exposure-to-air-pollution-even-before-pregnancy-may-raise-babys-heart-defect-risk
New research from China suggests that the risks are just as high in the three months prior to pregnancy as they are during the mother’s first trimester.
“It means reducing air pollution exposure in the period of three months before conception and the period of the first trimester is equally important for preventing congenital heart defects in offspring,” said Dr. Hammin Liu, co-lead author of the study published Monday in the American Heart Association journal Circulation. Liu is president of West China Second University Hospital and a professor of pediatrics at Sichuan University in Chengdu, China.
Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect and the leading cause of infant mortality worldwide. More than 80% of heart defects have no known cause, but prior research suggests environmental exposures may play a role.
Studies investigating the link between maternal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) – tiny particles of pollution such as smoke or dust – and heart defects have been limited in size or location or have been done in countries with lower pollution levels than those in China, which has fine particulate matter concentrations that are 6.5 times higher than World Health Organization air quality guidelines. See: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21212043/ and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9845866/
In the new study, researchers looked at more than 1.4 million births involving 7,335 heart defects from 2014 to 2017 across 30 provinces and municipalities in China. They used satellite-based data to analyze monthly average maternal exposure to PM2.5 concentrations from the three months prior to conception to the end of the first trimester. Birth defects identified between 28 weeks of gestation to 42 days after birth were recorded.
Overall, for every 10 micrograms per cubic meter increase in maternal exposure to PM2.5, the risk of delivering a baby with a heart defect rose by 2%. The negative effects of air pollution exposure were more pronounced during the preconception period than during the mother’s first trimester.
While prior research has shown maternal exposure to air pollution can be dangerous to the unborn child during the first trimester, this is the first study to provide evidence that the danger may begin much sooner, said Dr. Jonathan Newman, the Eugene Braunwald assistant professor of medicine at New York University Grossman School of Medicine in New York City.
“That’s a new observation we really haven’t had much data to support,” said Newman, who was not involved in the study. “It’s an important potential piece of the puzzle as we understand adverse health outcomes related to air pollution.”
Whether these findings would hold true in less polluted places, such as the United States, is unknown. But Newman said it’s a question that should be explored.
“There’s really no safe level of air pollution exposure,” he said.
Women who are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant can reduce their risks in several ways, said Newman, who was lead author of a 2020 report in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology that summarized an expert workshop convened by federal agencies about potential personal strategies to reduce air pollution exposure to protect cardiovascular health.
One way is by using a quality home air filter, he said, such as the Carico Nutri-Tech Deluxe. An AHA Scientific Statement published in 2020 recommends portable air cleaners, high-efficiency home filtration systems, keeping home and car windows closed and wearing face masks in areas of high exposure.
But “the bigger context of managing risk from any exposure is to lower your overall risk for cardiovascular disease,” Newman said. Indeed, an AHA scientific statement also published said improving a woman’s heart health before she becomes pregnant might be the key to lowering her risk for pregnancy-related complications and improving long-term cardiovascular health for both mother and child.
“It’s very important that women in pregnancy and during the periconception period seek out and are able to obtain necessary health screenings and care, especially for management of risk factors like high blood pressure or prediabetes,” Newman said. “Making sure that those risk factors are adequately addressed also will help reduce the health effects of air pollution.”
When selecting an air filter, make sure that it filters out PM2.5 (Particulate Matter 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller) due to its potential health and environmental impacts. PM2.5 particles are small enough to be inhaled deeply into the lungs and can enter the bloodstream, posing serious risks to human health and the ecosystem. The Carico Nutri-Tech Deluxe removes 100% of PM sizes. In fact, it’s even effective at filtering our particles more than 5 times smaller.
Here are some key reasons why filtering out PM2.5 is crucial:
- Respiratory Health:5 particles can penetrate deep into the respiratory system, reaching the lungs’ sensitive regions. Prolonged exposure to PM2.5 is associated with various respiratory issues such as asthma, bronchitis, reduced lung function, and aggravated respiratory symptoms in people with pre-existing conditions.
- Cardiovascular Health:5 particles have been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular problems. When inhaled, they can trigger inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to damage to blood vessels and the heart.
- Mortality: Long-term exposure to elevated PM2.5 concentrations has been linked to premature death, particularly due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Reduction in PM2.5 levels has been associated with a decrease in mortality rates.
- Environmental Impact:5 can have adverse effects on the environment. When these particles settle on soil and water bodies, they can disrupt ecosystems and harm plant and aquatic life. They can also contribute to acid rain and affect water quality.
- Visibility and Aesthetics: High levels of PM2.5 can reduce visibility, leading to haze and smog in urban areas. This not only affects the aesthetics of a place but can also have economic implications, particularly for tourism and outdoor activities.
- Climate Change: Some PM2.5 particles, like black carbon, can absorb sunlight and contribute to warming the atmosphere. This can influence local and regional climate patterns and exacerbate global warming.
- Indoor Air Quality:5 can also be present indoors due to various sources like cooking, smoking, and the use of certain materials. Indoor exposure to PM2.5 can be especially harmful to vulnerable groups, such as children and the elderly.
Contact Carico now to protect you and your family.
