As 'Mumbaikars', or just basically as Indians, we've got used to pollution being part of our everyday. And while illnesses and diseases related to pollution are known, a shocking research has now stated the harmful effects pollution can have on pregnant women as also cause birth defects. The 2017 study which has been published in Journal of Pediatrics has found that women exposed to air pollution during the pre-conception period or one month after the conception have increased the risk of their children being born with birth defects like cleft lip or palate or abnormal hearts.
The result came after studying the association between abnormalities at birth and the mother's exposure to increased levels of fine particulate matter in the air during pregnancy. Dangers of air pollution seem to be growing with each passing day but not much progress has been made in the direction to solve the issue. Emphasising the importance of clean air, especially for women during preconception period, Arvind Chabra, India Head, Blueair, said, "Improving the air quality in our surroundings can be a most effective way of avoiding harmful effects of breathing polluted air. Considering the fact that the mother spends 90 percent of their time indoor but the indoor air is up to two to five times more polluted than the outside air. An effective air purifier helps in eliminating the minutest of the air pollutants like fine dust, allergens VOCs and Bacteria etc. Breathing clean air is important to ensure a healthy life for the child."
Dr Himanshu Garg, Head, Department of Respiratory and critical care, Artemis Hospital added, "The high pollution levels are now a new reality, at a time when the change from hazardous to very severe level is welcomed. New and striking evidence is emerging linking the increasing levels of pollution and increasing birth defects. The high incidence of the neural tube in newborns where the spinal cord is not formed well even amongst the well-nourished mother's is an example which is thought to increase because of higher pollution levels."
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