Maternal exposures to indoor air pollutants during pregnancy and lung function in early infancy

Swee Ping Tan

    Research output: ThesisMaster's Thesis

    671 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    [Truncated abstract] A large number of studies have shown that exposure to air pollutants during the early stages of lung development can result in poor postnatal respiratory health. While some studies have linked fetal exposure to air and traffic pollutants with poor respiratory health in early postnatal life, there has been very little research into the potential for exposure to indoor air pollutants to influence fetal lung development. The indoor environment may be important in influencing lung development as it contains numerous air pollutants, some that have previously been associated with poor respiratory health outcomes.
    As events occurring during the fetal period, such as in-utero smoking, have been shown to influence long-term postnatal outcomes, maternal exposure to indoor air pollutants during pregnancy has the potential to affect fetal lung development,
    subsequently resulting in poor lung function early in, and possibly throughout, postnatal life.

    Factors that contribute to the degree to which indoor air pollutant exposure may
    influence fetal and early life lung development include: the amount of time spent in the indoor environment; the variety of indoor chemicals, including many that have been linked to adverse health outcomes; the potential for increased pollutant exposure due to low ventilation rates and levels; and a large range of emission sources. As a result of these factors, the indoor environment can be a major source of personal exposure for many air pollutants. This thesis examines whether maternal exposure to several domestic air pollutants in the indoor environment can influence early life lung function.
    Original languageEnglish
    QualificationMasters
    Publication statusUnpublished - 2014

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