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Dangerous Fine Dust for Pregnant Women

Studies have shown that if pregnant women are exposed to fine dust, the risk of increased blood pressure and risk of gestational diabetes increases.


According to a research team led by Kim Young-joo, a professor at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, pregnant women exposed to fine dust, especially ultrafine dust, which is a small substance floating in the atmosphere, increase their blood pressure and risk of gestational diabetes by up to two times. The results of this study were presented at the 108th academic conference of the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.


An official from the research team explained the purpose of the study, saying, "The results of previous studies on the relationship between exposure to fine dust and metabolic diseases were known, but studies related to the health of pregnant women were insufficient."


In order to confirm the relationship between pregnant women's health and fine dust, the research team has recruited about 1,200 pregnant women from seven hospitals nationwide (Lee Dae-mok-dong Hospital, Lee Dae-guro Hospital, Korea University Guro Hospital, Yonsei Severance Hospital, Kangwon National University Hospital, Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital, and Ulsan University Hospital) for three years.


Ultrafine dust refers to substances with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers (μm) or less floating in the atmosphere.


The research team established a method of measuring exposure to fine dust and calculating output by individual pregnant women to collect fine dust exposure data on current participants and analyze the relationship between pregnancy complications caused by fine dust.


As a result, 333 pregnant women exposed to ultrafine dust at high concentrations were confirmed to have increased blood pressure in the third quarter of pregnancy (29 to 42 weeks of pregnancy), increased triglycerides, and increased blood sugar. The risk of exposure to ultrafine dust has more than doubled.


In particular, when the ultrafine dust concentration standards were divided into 10μg and 25μg, the prevalence of gestational diabetes tended to increase as the concentration increased, and triglycerides in the blood increased.


Since the particle size is very small, it is characterized by not being filtered from the airways when humans breathe, but penetrating deeply into the lungs. It is already attracting attention as a direct cause of various respiratory diseases.


Professor Kim Young-joo said, "We are continuing our research with the aim of developing management indicators for fine dust in pregnant women," and advised, "It is better to check the fine dust forecast well and use air purifiers at home."


Writer: Grace Jun



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