A KCL study has found that exposure during the first trimester of pregnancy delayed speech development
Babies exposed to higher levels of air pollution in the early stages of pregnancy take longer to learn to speak than those exposed to lower levels in the womb, new research suggests.
A study by researchers from King’s College London found exposure to nitrogen dioxide and fine and ultra-fine particulate matter during the first trimester of pregnancy delayed speech development at 18 months.
For premature babies, the impact was worse: as well as delayed development of their ability to speak, they were also found to have impaired motor skills.
“This research should act as a wake-up call, because air pollution is not just an environmental issue, it’s a matter of justice and equality from the very start of life,” said Tyrone Scott, head of campaigns at War on Want.
