New Research Reveals the Dangers of Poor Air Quality for Unborn Babies: ALA’s Annual ‘State of the Air’ Report

The American Lung Association (ALA) has released its annual “State of the Air” report, highlighting the dangers of poor air quality for children before birth. Dr. Aaron Levy from Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte emphasized that women who are exposed to higher levels of poor air quality are at a greater risk of having premature and low birth weight babies. Additionally, poor air quality can lead to preeclampsia in mothers.

Mecklenburg County received a “C” grade in the report, marking a significant improvement from previous years. The county had three high ozone days between 2020-22, down from nearly four days per year in the previous report. However, one instance of poor air quality occurred last summer due to smoke from Canadian wildfires drifting south.

Researchers stress the importance of monitoring air quality levels and limiting outdoor time during air quality alerts to protect health. Exposure to poor air quality can make individuals more vulnerable to conditions like asthma, chronic illnesses, and weakened immune systems.

For more information on the ALA’s report, including city and state report cards, visit their website. Experts also offer tips on staying safe during poor air quality days.