Improving India s Air Quality Prevents 7% of Pregnancy Losses by Hannah Joy on January 8, 2021 at 5:00 PM
South Asia has the highest burden of pregnancy loss globally. Gestational exposure to PM2.5 increased the likelihood of pregnancy loss. However, meeting India s air quality targets across south Asia may prevent 7 percent of pregnancy losses. The modelling study suggested that pregnant women in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, who are exposed to poor air quality, may be at higher risk of stillbirths and miscarriages.
An estimated 349,681 pregnancy losses per year in south Asia were associated with exposure to PM2.5 concentrations that exceeded India s air quality standard (more than 40 ig/m or micrograms per cubic meter air), accounting for 7 per cent of annual pregnancy loss in the region from 2000-2016.