Even protected by its mother’s womb, a baby suffers from pollution. The DNA of umbilical cord blood cells is altered with “telomere shortening,” a chromosome abnormality, which appears to be directly related to air pollution from burning charcoal.
Air pollution is responsible for 5.5 million of the 9 million pollution deaths each year, making it the leading cause of pollution deaths worldwide.
But now researchers have started to understand the terrible effects of air pollution on babies exposed in the womb. A recent study, published in Environment International, examined DNA from the umbilical cord blood of newborns born in Tongliang, China, before and after the closure of a coal-fired power plant in 2004. Several findings suggest that the pollution affected the DNA of children.
Shortened telomeres and modified DNA
The team observed that babies born before the plant closed had shorter telomeres than those born later, after the coal plant closed.
Telomeres are a specialized and essential section of DNA that makes it possible to faithfully copy chromosomes. Eventually, shortened telomeres cause copies to be less faithful and this has been linked to aging, cancer, cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline and even premature death.
Burning coal is bad for your health
“The 2th wave of analyzes proves that the closure of this coal-fired power station was beneficial for the health and future well-being of newborns, ”confirms Professor Frederica Perera, director of the Center for the Environmental Health of Children in Colombia.
“The role of coal-fired power stations in the production of toxic fumes is undeniable and it is important to tackle this environmental hazard to protect our health and the health of future generations,” concludes the professor.
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