Link Between Dry Eye Disease and Air Pollution
For years, scientists have been investigating the correlation between dry eye disease (DED) and air pollution. Ophthalmologists believe that symptoms like sensitivity to light (photophobia) and persistent discomfort are triggered by the body’s inflammatory immune reaction to air pollutants. Moreover, studies indicate that women, particularly those with preexisting conditions like arthritis or thyroid diseases, are more likely to experience pollution-induced dry eye disease.
Impact of Air Pollution on Low Birth Weight
Research has indicated that air pollution has detrimental effects on both expectant mothers and their developing fetuses. Studies conducted on animals have shown that fine particulate matter known as PM2.5 can enter the bloodstream of pregnant women, interfering with the delivery of blood and essential nutrients to the placenta. Consequently, this can result in shorter gestation periods and babies born with low birth weights.
Furthermore, a study conducted in Guangdong, a highly polluted city in China, examined the impact of exposure to PM10 during the last trimester of pregnancy. The findings demonstrated that for every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM10 levels, there was an associated decrease of approximately 11 grams in birth weight.
Source: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-018-6307-7