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Proximity to roads triggers premature births

Researchers have found that babies whose mothers live near a concentration of freeways and main roads are born earlier. Gestational time was reduced by around five per cent among prospective mothers who had freeways within 400 metres of their homes and the greatest effects were on those living within a 200-metre radius of major roads.

The work has serious public health implications as everyone living in urban areas is exposed to air pollution and pre-tern and low-weight babies remain in hospital for longer after birth as well as having a greater likelihood of developing disabilities and increased risk of death.

Read more at Queensland University of Technology

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