How does exposure to environmental pollutants affect pregnancy and childbirth?
A new study by the Ministry of Environmental Protection examined the effect of pregnant women's exposure to environmental pollutants in the Haifa Bay area and the consequences for the newborns.
The study, led by Prof. Ido Shultet of Rambam Medical Center, Prof. Amalia Levy of Ben Gurion University and Prof. Matti Berkovich of Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh), together with doctoral student Tal Michael and other researchers, was based on the fact that in recent years evidence has been published Significance suggests that pregnant women and their developing fetuses pose a risk group for harm from toxins and environmental pollutants, which cause negative consequences in the fetus.
The studies found associations between the level of exposure to contaminants and intrauterine changes in the fetal mothers who were exposed to the contaminants.
However, the existing information on the level of exposure was limited and sometimes controversial.
In the same context, no comprehensive study was conducted in Haifa Bay that examined the relationship between exposure to environmental pollutants during pregnancy and undesirable outcomes in mothers' births.
Does the infection affect?
Pregnant woman (illustration), Photo: Getty Images
The aim of the present study was to examine whether pregnant women are exposed to heavy metals and volatile organic pollutants and the link between maternal exposure and unwanted pregnancy outcomes.
The exposure was tested by measuring the pollutants in urine samples and the comparison was made between 826 couples of mothers and newborns, about half from Haifa and about half from the center of the country, between the years 2016 and 2019.
Findings: High levels of metals
The study found that the urine of pregnant mothers in Haifa found relatively high levels of some of the metals and some of the BTEX components (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene compounds).
In fact, the findings in the urine were significantly higher in the samples of mothers from Haifa Bay compared with mothers from the center of the country.
At the same time, the researchers emphasize that "the levels measured in the study in Haifa Bay are immeasurably lower than the levels reported in polluted areas in the world, and lower than the levels defined as harmful by the World Health Organization."
Accordingly, no significant differences in head circumference were found between the groups.
The study found that boys born in the Haifa Bay area were born weighing more than boys in the control group, but it seems that this figure has no clinical significance as it is a few tens of grams.
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
If you found an error in the article, we would love for you to share it with us
