If you’re pregnant, polluted air may be more dangerous for you than just being an asthma trigger, as new research has found a higher risk of miscarriage for women exposed to elevated air pollution. As reported by ALL4WOMEN, Dr. Matthew Fuller, at the University of Utah, noticed a pattern of miscarriages in relation to air quality. He suggested that pregnant women wear face masks or avoid outdoor physical activity on poor quality air days.
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Worldwide, 93 percent of children live in areas with air pollution at levels above World Health Organization guidelines. The numbers add up to more than 1 in 4 deaths among children under 5 years old being related to environmental risks, including air pollution. The problem has grown to monumental levels, such that the World Health Organization (WHO), in a report on air pollution and child health, stated, “Exposure to air pollution is an overlooked health emergency for children around the world.”
Besides infant mortality — and now miscarriage — other health risks for children due to air pollution include:
- Lower cognitive test scores and troubles with mental and motor development
- Childhood obesity
- Decreased lung function, lower respiratory difficulties and asthma
- Ear and respiratory infections
- Childhood cancers
- Health problems in adulthood, such as chronic lung disease and cardiovascular issues
The majority of global airborne particulate pollution — 85 percent — comes from fuel combustion, with coal being the “world’s most polluting fossil fuel.”
Industrial agriculture is also to blame, as researchers have found that excess nitrogen applied to farm fields may be responsible for as much as 51 percent of nitrogen oxides off-gassing across intensive farming areas.
Because you can’t always control your exposure to air pollution, especially that outdoors, one of the best options is to fortify your diet with nutrients that may have a protective effect against pollutants. This includes:
- Omega-3 fats
- Broccoli sprouts
- Vitamins C and E
- B vitamins
In your own home, I recommend taking steps to keep your indoor air clean, including opening windows to let fresh air in and avoiding the use of known air pollutants like chemical cleaning products, air fresheners and scented candles. Purifying your home’s air is also a wise step, but no one filter can remove all pollutants, so be sure to do your research on the different types of air filters to meet your specific needs.