Scientists have discovered black carbon particles in umbilical cord blood, demonstrating that they can pass the placenta.

As fetuses develop in the womb, air pollution particles might potentially enter their organs and harm their growth, according to a study.

Researchers from the University of Aberdeen and Hasselt University in Belgium discovered black carbon particles, often known as soot particles, in umbilical cord blood.

This demonstrates that they can pass the placenta.

Scientists have connected air pollution to preterm delivery, low birth weight, and abnormal brain development.

Important organ development happens during fetal growth in the uterus, and the particles can be detected in the first trimester of pregnancy, according to researchers.

During their investigation, sixty women and their infants were assessed in Aberdeen and the Grampian region of Scotland.

In addition, they examined tissue samples from 36 fetuses aborted between seven and twenty weeks of gestation.

All moms and newborns contained soot particles, as did the livers, lungs, and brains of the aborted fetuses.

All tissue samples analyzed contained particles of black carbon.

Black carbon is one of the many particles and gases released during the combustion of diesel, coal, and other biomass fuels.

The quantity of air pollution the mother was exposed to during pregnancy determined the number of particles discovered.

This is the first time that black carbon nanoparticles have been discovered in growing fetuses.

The study authors reported in the journal Lancet Planetary Health: “We showed that carbonaceous air pollution particles can enter the placenta and then translocate into human embryonic organs during pregnancy.

“These findings are especially alarming because this exposure window is crucial for organ development,”

Professor Tim Nawrot of Hasselt University stated, “We know that exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and infancy has been associated with stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight kids, and altered brain development, with lasting effects.”

This implies that the control of air quality should recognize this transfer during gestation and protect the most vulnerable stages of human development.

Professor Paul Fowler from the University of Aberdeen stated, “We were all concerned that if nanoparticles were entering the fetus, they could have a direct impact on its development in utero.

“We have demonstrated for the first time that black carbon air pollution nanoparticles not only enter the placenta during the first and second trimesters but also enter the growing fetus’ organs, including the liver and lungs.”