Problems with behavior, learning, autism or other disorders of the developing brain Traffic-related air toxics and preterm birth: a population-based case-control study in Los Angeles County, California. Wilhelm M, Ghosh JK, Su J, Cockburn M, Jerrett M, Ritz B. Sources and contents of air pollution affecting term low birth weight in Los Angeles County, California, 2001-2008. Laurent O, Hu J, Li L, Cockburn M, Escobedo L, Kleeman MJ, Wu J. Environmental Research, 130: 7-13.īorn Early (also called preterm or premature birth) Prenatal air pollution exposure and ultrasound measures of fetal growth in Los Angeles, California. Ritz B, Qiu J, Lee PC, Lurmann F, Penfold B, Erin Weiss R, McConnell R, Arora C, Hobel C, Wilhelm M. Environmental Health Perspectives, 111(2): 207–216. Residential proximity to traffic and adverse birth outcomes in Los Angeles County, California, 1994-1996. Low birth weight (weigh less when born) or growth retardation (fetus is slower growing) Below are selected health studies on these topics. This might lead to behavior or learning or other “cognitive” problems, including autism, ADHD, and schizophrenia. There have been studies for a number of years on low-birth weight and babies being born early, and recently studies have found changes to the developing brain. Many harmful health problems can happen to a developing fetus when a pregnant mother lives near high levels of air pollution, including pollution from traffic. Association between local traffic-generated air pollution and preeclampsia and preterm delivery in the south coast air basin of California. Wu J, Ren C, Delfino RJ, Chung J, Wilhelm M, Ritz B. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 67(2): 147-152. Association between pre-eclampsia and locally derived traffic-related air pollution: a retrospective cohort study. Pereira G, Haggar F, Shand AW, Bower C, Cook A, Nassar N. Associations between ambient air pollution and Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy. Mobasher Z, Salam MT, Goodwin TM, Lurmann F, Ingles SA, Wilson ML. Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy, 39(1): 21-27. Development of Late-Onset Preeclampsia in Association with Road Densities as a Proxy for Traffic-Related Air Pollution. Wu M, Ries JJ, Proietti E, Vogt D, Hahn S, Hoesli I. Environmental Health Perspectives, 121(4): 488-93. Gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in association with air pollution at levels below current air quality guidelines. Malmqvist E, Jakobsson K, Tinnerberg H, Rignell-Hydbom A, Rylander L. Some pregnant women develop an illness called 'pre-eclampsia' that can result in high blood pressure and possible kidney damage. This type of diabetes is called “gestational” and often goes away after the baby is born. Studies show that women may develop high blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy if they are close to high levels of air pollution. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to air pollution, including pollution near busy roads and freeways.

Lancet pollution and health infographic