Pollution from coal and oil power plants may lower fertility rates, according to a new study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. The study looked at the data of over 1,000 women and found that those who lived in areas with the highest levels of pollution were 20% less likely to have a live birth.
The study also found that the risk of infertility increased with the severity of the pollution. Women who lived in areas with the most severe levels of pollution were 30% less likely to have a live birth.
The study’s authors say that the pollution may be affecting fertility by disrupting the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. They also say that the pollution may be damaging the eggs or sperm, making it more difficult to conceive.
This is not the first study to link air pollution to infertility. A study published in the journal Nature in 2017 found that women who lived in areas with high levels of air pollution were more likely to have difficulty getting pregnant.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes 7 million deaths each year, including 600,000 deaths from heart disease, 400,000 deaths from stroke, and 200,000 deaths from respiratory infections.
The WHO also estimates that air pollution causes 1.5 million cases of low birth weight each year. Low birth weight is a major risk factor for premature birth, death in the first year of life, and chronic diseases later in life.
The study’s authors say that their findings suggest that air pollution is a serious threat to fertility and that more needs to be done to reduce air pollution levels.
Here are some tips for reducing your exposure to air pollution:
- Avoid outdoor activities on days when the air quality is poor. You can check the air quality index (AQI) for your area online or on a weather app.
- Stay indoors with the windows closed when the air quality is poor. If you must go outside, wear a mask that can filter out air pollutants.
- Plant trees around your home. Trees can help to filter out air pollutants.
- Drive less. Driving produces air pollution. If you can, walk, bike, or take public transportation instead.
- Support policies that reduce air pollution. You can contact your elected officials and let them know that you support policies that reduce air pollution.
By taking these steps, you can help to reduce your exposure to air pollution and protect your fertility.
