Particles of air pollution travel through pregnant women ’s bodies and lodge in their lungs , according to new research . Toxic air has previously been linked to foetal harm , but the process by which the damage was done has been unknown . The new study , based on mothers living in Australia , discovered sooty particles in their lungs . Scientists suggested that it was possible that such particles had also entered the foetuses . Previous research has found links between air pollution and premature birth and low birth weight . The study, conducted over 20 years in Sweden, showed that children with asthma were three and half times more likely to leave school at the age of 16 with only basic education and were also twice as likely to drop out of university courses. Separate research has connected childhood asthma , linked to air pollution , with lower educational achievement .
Particles of air pollution travel through pregnant women ’s bodies and lodge in their lungs , according to new research . Toxic air has previously been linked to foetal harm , but the process by which the damage was done has been unknown . The new study , based on mothers living in Australia , discovered sooty particles in their lungs . Scientists suggested that it was possible that such particles had also entered the foetuses . Previous research has found links between air pollution and premature birth and low birth weight . Separate research has connected childhood asthma , linked to air pollution , with lower educational achievement .