Curbing outdoor air pollution may help prevent 2.7 million premature births a year, a condition that threatens children's lives and increases their risk of long-term physical and neurological problems, scientists said on Thursday.
Fine particles in the air from diesel fumes, fires and other sources, may increase the risk of premature births — alongside other risks including a mother's age and health — according to a study published in the Environment International journal.
"Air pollution may not just harm people who are breathing the air directly — it may also seriously affect a baby in its mother's womb," said Chris Malley, lead author of the study which is based on data for 2010.