pregnancy
Newsletter
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Wildfires increase risk to pregnant people, but public health response lags
Wildfires pose severe risks to pregnant people, but a new report reveals that public health officials are failing to adequately warn and protect vulnerable populations.
In short:
- Pregnant people are at risk of low birth weight and preterm birth from wildfire exposure, yet public health warnings are insufficient.
- Vulnerable groups, like the unhoused and non-English speakers, lack access to vital safety measures, such as air filters.
- Health providers report a lack of guidance on wildfire-related risks, forcing them to rely on their own research.
Key quote:
“While we know that wildfires are continuing to intensify in the US, and we’re increasingly clear on what damages wildfires represent to maternal and newborn health, we’re still not seeing the kind of response from policymakers and public health officials that we need.”
— Skye Wheeler, researcher at Human Rights Watch
Why this matters:
Wildfires, exacerbated by climate change, increase health risks for pregnant people, with long-term impacts on maternal and newborn health. Immediate action is needed to protect vulnerable communities.
Related EHN coverage:
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Wildfire smoke may harm IVF outcomes in affected areas
Women undergoing IVF in regions impacted by wildfires may face challenges in conception due to exposure to poor air quality, according to a study from Oregon Health & Science University.
In short:
- A study linked wildfire smoke with reduced effectiveness of IVF treatments, particularly in producing blastocysts.
- Researchers observed these effects in women undergoing IVF during the 2020 Oregon wildfires.
- The study suggests using air filtration and protective measures for women in wildfire-prone areas.
Key quote:
“Minimizing exposure as much as possible is probably best, not just for reproduction, but for all facets of health.”
— Dr. Molly Kornfield, assistant professor of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the OHSU Center for Women’s Health
Why this matters:
As wildfires become more frequent, understanding their impact on health, including fertility, is vital. This research highlights the importance of mitigating poor air quality for better reproductive outcomes.
Related EHN coverage:
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Photo by Mike Newbry on Unsplash
Wildfires and heat waves linked to an increased risk for preterm birth
Pregnant Californians exposed to extreme climate events like wildfires and heat waves were at a higher risk for giving birth early, according to a new study published in Environmental Research.
In short:
- Exposure to wildfires was associated with an increased chance of preterm birth. The same was true for days with unusually high temperatures.
- This association was much stronger when exposure to both wildfires and heat waves occurred simultaneously.
- The risk for preterm birth was strongest for Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American study participants in comparison to White participants.
Key quote:
“Given the increasingly frequent occurrence and co-occurrence of these climate related events, pregnant people and their growing fetuses should be consistently in the front of climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.”
Why this matters:
As climate change continues to impact global weather patterns, heat waves and wildfires have become increasingly intense and frequent. Environmental hazards that affect the health of pregnant people and their children can have long-term and severe outcomes, such as harm to babies’ respiratory, neurological, and cardiometabolic development. The authors of this study point to the need to recognize pregnancy as a vulnerable period in order to encourage regulatory action that better protects parents and their children.
Related EHN coverage:
- American Heart Association: Children must be protected from health threats of environmental toxics
- Op-ed: How climate change harms pregnant people and their babies
More resources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Wildfire smoke and pregnancy
- California Air Resources Board:Smoke ready California
- Yale Climate Connections: Extreme heat makes pregnancy more dangerous
Ha, Sandie et al. for Environmental Research vol. 252, 4. July 1, 2024
Science summaries are produced by the EHS science team, including HEEDS.
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Newsletter
Credit: Kattitude/Big Stock Photo
Extreme heat raises pregnancy risks, study shows
A recent study from India reveals that working in extreme heat significantly increases the risk of stillbirth and miscarriage among pregnant women.
In short:
- The research involved 800 pregnant women in Tamil Nadu, highlighting a doubled risk for those in high-heat jobs.
- No global standard exists for safe heat levels for pregnant workers, underscoring a gap in occupational health guidelines.
- The study's findings are a call to action for global health advice tailored to pregnant women in increasingly hot climates.
Key quote:
"If the workers continue for prolonged periods in this level of heat, they are more prone to heat-related illnesses, and it's especially concerning for pregnant women."
— Rekha Shanmugam, former nurse and one of the SRIHER study's researchers
Why this matters:
Studies have shown that exposure to high temperatures during pregnancy can lead to a range of adverse outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth. In addition, the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy, such as increased body temperature and altered blood flow, can make pregnant individuals more susceptible to heat stress. Be sure to read Kelley Dennings' op-ed about how climate change harms pregnant people and their babies.climate change harms pregnant people and their babies.
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Newsletter
As extreme fires multiply, California scientists zero in on how smoke affects pregnancy and children
Climate change portends ever more frequent fires, and the smoky haze is “not easy to run from anymore,” notes one of the study’s leaders.
Over 1.3 million people in Thailand suffering air pollution-related diseases
About 1.32 million people in Thailand were affected by air pollution-related diseases between the beginning of the year and March 5th. A specialist in respiratory diseases and tuberculosis is warning that PM2.5 dust can also affect unborn children, if pregnant women are exposed to excessive levels of the fine dust.
Newsletter
‘Born into a time of chaos’: How being pregnant amid a climate disaster can affect children
A new study suggests that children who were in the womb during Superstorm Sandy are more likely to have behavior disorders.
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