Traffic emissions have been linked to reduced birth weights according to research conducted by the University of Western Australia and its affiliate the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research.

 

The research, led by Assistant Professor Gavin Pereira, monitored traffic emission levels in a region with relatively low industrial activity, and compared it with the birth records of over 1,000 mothers over a period of six years between 2000 and 2006.

 

The results, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, show that a neonate who would otherwise have attained an optimal birth weight of 3.5 kilograms, would be expected to be born 58 grams lighter dependent on the amount of emissions inhaled during pregnancy.  The results reflect about half of the effect observed for maternal smoking during pregnancy among this group.

 

Assistant Professor Pereira, whose research interests are in traffic, air pollution and childhood health, said the results were surprising because these effects were observed when air quality guidelines met national standards.

 

"International studies have found some associations but this is the first time we have seen a specific link between normal suburban traffic pollution and its effect on the foetal growth."