The Hidden Impact of Pollution on Pregnancy

ByTarin Hussain
Updated: 1 May 2025, 10:59 am

Pollution can harm both pregnant women and their unborn babies. Air pollution, like smoke and fumes, can cause issues such as preterm birth or low birth weight. Noise can increase stress and even trigger early labour. Contaminated water may also affect a baby's health. To protect yourself, you should stay in cleaner areas and use air purifiers.

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Pollution is a major environmental problem that can seriously harm your health. If you are pregnant, both you and your unborn baby are especially at risk. Heavy traffic, industrial waste, and even household chemicals release dangerous particles into the air you breathe. Breathing in these particles can cause inflammation and stress in your body. This might affect the way your pregnancy progresses. Breathing polluted air during pregnancy can also lead to early separation of the placenta from the uterine wall.
In this article:
Noise pollution and harmful chemicals are other dangers you need to watch out for. Exposure to such chemicals could cause hormonal imbalances. You need to understand how pollution affects your pregnancy to take the right steps to stay safe.


What Is Air Pollution?

Harmful substances in the atmosphere are referred to as air pollution. These contaminants include gases, particles, or chemicals that come from natural sources or human activities. When these pollutants reach harmful levels, they pose significant risks to human health. Inhaling polluted air can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular issues. It can also have serious effects on pregnancy.

Common Sources of Air Pollution

  • Vehicle emissions: Vehicles like cars, trucks and buses release nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide along with particulate matter. These emissions are a major cause of air pollution in urban areas.
  • Industrial activities: Factories and power plants emit sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and fine particulates, often from burning fossil fuels or chemical processes.
  • Agricultural practices: Pesticides, fertilisers, and livestock farming release ammonia and methane, which contribute to air pollution and ground-level ozone formation.

Pollutants that Contribute to Air Pollution

  • Particulate Matter (PM): Tiny particles, like PM2.5 and PM10, penetrate lungs and bloodstream, causing respiratory issues and pregnancy complications.
  • Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2): Nitrogen dioxide released from vehicles and power plants harms the lungs and is linked to preterm birth and low birth weight. It can also lead to cardiovascular problems.
  • Carbon Monoxide (CO): A colourless, odourless gas from incomplete combustion. It reduces the delivery of oxygen to the foetus, posing serious risks to foetal development.
  • Ozone (O3): Ground-level ozone can trigger respiratory problems and may affect the growth of the foetal respiratory system. It can also make asthma symptoms worse.
  • Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): Released from industrial processes, SO2 causes respiratory irritation.


Why Pregnant Women and Newborns Are at Higher Risk?

You and your newborn are especially vulnerable to air pollution as your body goes through many changes. During pregnancy, you need about 20 per cent more oxygen; your minute ventilation increases by 40 to 50 per cent, and your cardiac output rises by 40 per cent. These changes may cause you to inhale more air pollutants, which can travel through your body, cross the placenta, and reach your growing baby. This could impact the developing foetus.

Newborns are at even greater risk. Their immune systems are still developing, and their organs are not yet strong enough to deal with harmful pollutants. Their bodies are not fully prepared to handle the stress caused by poor air quality.

Effects of Pollution on Pregnant Women

  • Respiratory issues: Chronic exposure to air pollutants, such as PM2.5 and ozone, can cause persistent respiratory problems in pregnant women. This can worsen asthma and reduce lung function, which may impact your health after pregnancy.
  • Preterm birth: NO2 and PM10 pollutants are strongly connected to preterm birth before 37 weeks. This increases the chances of developmental problems and adds stress to the mother's health.
  • Low birth weight: Being exposed to particulate matter and carbon monoxide can restrict foetal growth, resulting in low birth weight (below 2.5 kg).
  • Respiratory complications in newborns: Maternal exposure to air pollution can impair foetal lung development, leading to respiratory issues in newborns such as asthma. Pollutants like PM2.5 are key contributors.
  • Maternal complications: Pollutants can elevate the risks of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia in pregnant women.
  • Birth defects: Exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, and harmful chemicals increases the chances of congenital anomalies, such as heart or neural tube defects.
  • Long-term health issues: Pollution exposure during pregnancy can contribute to chronic maternal health issues, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Effects of Pollution on the Developing Foetus

  • Foetal growth: Exposure to air pollutants like PM2.5 and carbon monoxide during pregnancy can restrict foetal growth, leading to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
  • Neurological conditions: Research shows that air pollution exposure during pregnancy may raise the risk of neurological issues in children, including autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • Heart abnormalities: Harmful pollutants can disrupt the development of the foetal heart. This may lead to birth defects and increase the risk of heart disease later in life.
  • Impaired cognitive development: Chemicals and air pollutants during pregnancy can slow brain growth.
  • Increased risk of long-term health issues: Pollution exposure in the womb may increase a child’s risk of developing chronic conditions like asthma, obesity, and certain cancers as they grow older.
  • Stillbirth: High levels of air pollutants, such as ozone and particulate matter, can impair placental function, increasing the likelihood of stillbirth during pregnancy.


Impact of Noise Pollution on Pregnant Women

Loud noises can be really unsettling for pregnant women. Noise louder than 85 decibels can be dangerous for both the mother and her unborn child. Prolonged exposure to such noise can cause increased stress and high blood pressure, which are not ideal during pregnancy.

Possible negative effects include:

  • Hearing loss: The uterus offers some protection from loud sounds, but continuous exposure to very loud noises can still affect the baby’s hearing.
  • Preterm labour: High noise levels may trigger preterm labour. You should avoid places with constant loud noise, as the stress response can affect both mother and baby.


Effect of Water Pollution on Infant Health

Research has shown that drinking water contaminated with tetrachloroethylene (PCE) during infancy can lead to long-lasting neurological effects. Studies found strong links between this exposure and conditions such as bipolar disorder, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder.


How to Reduce the Impact of Pollution During Pregnancy

You should try to avoid staying in areas with high pollution for long periods, like busy roads. It's better to choose routes with lower emissions to reduce exposure.

  • Installing air purifiers with HEPA filters at home can significantly improve indoor air quality by capturing harmful airborne particles and pollutants.
  • Switch to eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning products to avoid inhaling harmful chemicals from harsh detergents.
  • Opt for parks or indoor areas with good air quality for activities like walking to minimise exposure to outdoor pollutants and promote well-being.
  • Choose public transport, carpooling, or electric vehicles to lower your contribution to air pollution while reducing personal exposure to vehicle emissions.
  • Switch to eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning products to avoid inhaling harmful chemicals from harsh detergents.
  • Steer clear of burning candles or using chemical air fresheners. Opt for fragrance-free, non-toxic products to limit indoor chemical exposure.
  • Add safe indoor plants like snake plants or peace lilies to naturally filter the air.
  • Install a carbon monoxide detector to protect against CO poisoning, which can be particularly dangerous during pregnancy.
  • Regularly inspect your home for mould growth and hire professionals to safely remove it. Mould can release harmful spores, affecting air quality.
  • Remain indoors when outdoor air quality is poor, using air quality reports to identify safer times for outdoor activities.
  • Wash hands and face after being outside to remove pollutants that may settle on skin.
  • Use a mask when handling strong cleaning agents or paint to avoid inhaling toxic fumes.
  • Use apps or alerts to track local air pollution levels to plan outdoor activities during times of better air quality.

Handling Pollution Exposure During Pregnancy

If you’re exposed to loud noises or high pollution levels by accident, there are steps you can take to lessen the effects. If you feel anxious after hearing loud sounds, lie down in a quiet room and focus on deep breathing to help calm down. This can reduce stress and help bring your blood pressure back to normal. Polluted air can irritate your nose and throat, so using a saline spray can help clear your passages.

If you notice any decrease in foetal activity after exposure to pollution, reach out to your doctor right away.

Pollution is a serious environmental threat that can harm pregnant women. It’s important to understand how pollution affects your health so you can protect yourself and your baby. You can take steps to reduce exposure by limiting time spent in polluted areas. Using air purifiers indoors and wearing masks when going outdoors can also help. Making simple changes to your daily routine can reduce the risks of pollution and protect your health.


FAQs

  1. How does air pollution affect pregnancy?
    It can cause respiratory issues, preterm birth, or low birth weight.
  2. What types of pollutants are most harmful during pregnancy?
    Harmful pollutants include particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ground-level ozone.
Medically Reviewed By:
Medically approved by Celebrity Cosmetologist Dr. Mahnaz Jahan Begum, an esteemed Aesthetic Expert, Entrepreneur, and Founder of Keradis

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