Effects of Environmental Pollutants during Pregnancy

Posted: 18. May, 2011 0

The environment is full of toxins such as lead exhaust fumes, mercury, industrial chemicals and pesticides. These enter the food chain and may contaminate a large percentage of our diet, whether we are vegetarians, ‘fishitarians’ or carnivores.

Most environmental toxins cross the placenta and pose a risk to the developing fetus. A study by the UK Woman’s Environmental Network suggests that up to 8 per cent of British children suffer from poor responsiveness and memory loss because of toxic damage in the womb. They may also have reduced intelligence in later life. Even if only 1 per cent are affected, this still represents thousands of children per year.

Cadmium

Cadmium is a common pollutant linked with increased risk of congenital abnormalities (including cleft palate, hare lip, limb deformities), low birthweight, small head, reduced intelligence, miscarriage, preterm delivery and stillbirth, especially when coupled with high lead and low zinc levels. Your main sources of exposure to cadmium are:

• cigarette smoke
• processed foods
• water that has coursed through galvanized mains
• industrial waste
• shellfish from polluted waters
• burning fossilized fuels.

Zinc seems to be important in counteracting some of the adverse effects of cadmium exposure.

Lead

Lead is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, congenital abnormalities, fits, delayed development, reduced intelligence, stillbirth and neonatal death. You are exposed to lead from a number of sources:

• exhaust fumes from lead in petrol
• water that has coursed through old, lead water pipes, old, lead-glazed earthenware mains or copper piping with alloy joins containing lead
• unlined tin cans
• food grown in polluted soil
• smoking tobacco treated with lead-containing insecticides.

Lead is rapidly carried across the placenta to your baby and can build up to cause lead poisoning from as early as 12 weeks of pregnancy. In one study, babies’ blood levels of lead were assessed both before and after birth, and regularly up to the age of 7 years. When these children took part in IQ tests between the ages of 11 and 13, it was found that IQ was related to lead levels, and seemed to fall by 3 points as concentration of lead doubled. Other studies have also confirmed that exposure to lead can reduce IQ by averages varying from 3 to 9 points. Some research suggests that lead interferes with the way some brain communication chemicals (the neurotransmitters glutamine and dopamine) function. Others believe that it leads to low levels of oxygen within brain cells.

Mercury

Mercury is a toxic metal that crosses the placenta and is concentrated in your growing baby, so his mercury levels may be as much as 20 times higher than your own. Mercury toxicity is linked with impaired neural development in babies exposed to mercury in the womb, leading to an increased risk of cerebral palsy, small brain, mental retardation, blindness, fits, preterm delivery and stillbirth. Your main sources of exposure to mercury are:

• pesticides and fungicides
• fish (especially tuna) from polluted waters (reputable fish oil supplements are screened for contaminants)
• industrial waste -dental amalgams.

It is important to avoid having mercury amalgam tooth fillings removed or inserted during pregnancy if at all possible.

Organophosphorus and Other Pesticides

Pesticides are powerful chemicals that affect specific biological systems (such as fungi, caterpillars, whitefly) in low concentrations but can build up to cause harm in humans – especially during pregnancy – as they can easily cross the placenta to enter the developing baby and trigger congenital malformations. Many of the most harmful chemicals are fat-soluble, and become concentrated in animal fat products.

PCBS

Polychlorinated biphenols (PCBs) are an environmental pollutant that has been linked with lowered intelligence in infants and young children. In 1968, contamination of rice oil in Japan led to babies being born with developmental abnormalities, lower body weight, hyperactivity, behaviour problems and lower intelligence scores.

In one study, women exposed to PCBs as a result of eating contaminated Lake Michigan fish had blood and breastmilk levels assessed, and their children were followed up at regular intervals. Children exposed to the highest levels of PCBs were three times more likely to have a low average IQ score, and twice as likely to be at least two years behind in reading ability than those not exposed. This suggests that the developing brain may be sensitive to PCBs. The researchers concluded that exposure to slightly higher concentrations of PCBs than occur in the general population can have long-term effects on intelligence. Tests showed prenatal exposure to high PCB levels reduced verbal IQ scores by 7 -16 points, performance IQ scores by 10 -18 points, and overall IQ by 9 – 18 points. The differences remained throughout the 6 years of follow-up.

The use of PCBs are now banned, although they are difficult to eliminate as they were so widely used in industry and are resistant to biodegradation.

To reduce your exposure to environmental poisons:

• Eat organic wholefoods where possible.
• Cut down on your consumption of animal fats.
• A void tinned foods, processed foods and excess salt.
• Eliminate all dietary additives.
• Wash all vegetables, fruit and salad stuff thoroughly, and peel as many as possible.
• Eat garlic, yoghurt, bananas and pectin-containing fruits to help reduce absorption of dietary toxins.
• Avoid heavy traffic and inhaling exhaust fumes – keep car windows closed in traffic jams.
• Avoid burning waste rubbish, especially newspapers, magazines and plastics.
• Switch to lead-free petrol and a car fitted with a catalytic converter.
• Avoid any sheep-dipping activity or contact with clipped sheep.

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