The earliest weeks of pregnancy are a period of remarkable development. In a matter of weeks, the foundations of the brain, spinal cord, heart, and other major organs begin to take shape. That rapid development also makes this a particularly important period for understanding how environmental exposures may affect fetal health. My research team at … Continue reading The first eight weeks: wildfire smoke and fetal development
As massive wildfires send smoke billowing across the mid-Atlantic, northeastern United States, and Midwest, many people are focused on the immediate effects of breathing smoky air: burning eyes, irritated throats, and worsening asthma. But for pregnant women, the risks may run deeper and last longer than the smoke itself. Wildfires are no longer just a … Continue reading Wildfire smoke and pregnancy: what the science tells us and why it matters right now
On March 11th, Dr. Amy Padula spoke at the Central Valley Air Quality Coalition's 23rd Annual Clean Air Action Day rally at the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The following is her full speech. My name is Dr. Amy Padula and I'm a scientist. I study how the air we breathe impacts our bodies and … Continue reading Rallying for clean air at the California State Capitol
A review of 3,000 studies also suggests these minute plastic air particles may be causing male and female infertility. Tires and degrading garbage shed tiny pieces of plastic into the air, creating a form of air pollution that UC San Francisco researchers suspect may be causing respiratory and other illnesses. A review of some 3,000 … Continue reading Microplastics may be leading to lung and colon cancers
In the United States, almost 60 million people live within 500 meters of a highway or highly trafficked road. Living near roads means greater exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) from cars and trucks, which can lead to numerous health issues, including premature death. In California, 40% of the population lives near major roads, the … Continue reading Life is a (polluted) highway: How exposure to traffic pollution impacts health
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