New research has found a link between exposure to air pollution in early life and air pollution, particularly Nitrogen Dioxide which is a severe problem in some UK cities. This is also linked to unborn babies being affected during pregnancy as the mothers breathe in toxic fumes. This can lead to stunted growth, birth defects, and cot death. It was already known that the early years of life are some of the most delicate and so any impact in those crucial years can have major implications for later life. Dirty air is also a major cause of asthma in children and therefore poses a major public health crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that 90% of the world’s children live in areas of unacceptably high air pollution. You can read the full article from the Guardian here.
