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Genotoxicity and Air Pollutions
Published in Brian D. Fath, Sven E. Jørgensen, Megan Cole, Managing Air Quality and Energy Systems, 2020
Eliane Tigre Guimarães, Andrea Nunes Vaz Pedroso
Previous studies showed that air pollution has a significant impact on female reproductive function in mice. Exposure to fine particulate matter has been implicated in disruption of the pattern of segregation of inner cell mass and trophectoderm cell lineages at the blastocyst stage,[100,101] an important marker of embryo viability and development potential.[102] A retrospective epidemiological study confirmed the increased risk of early pregnancy loss, which was already observed in experimental studies in women exposed to air pollution. In addition, an association between brief exposure to high levels of environmental particles during pre-conception and early pregnancy loss was found, independently from conception method (natural or after in vitro fertilization treatment), and the risk of miscarriage increased 2.6-fold.[100] Furthermore, a positive association between air pollution and intrauterine mortality was found in a study conducted in São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, suggesting that pollution in São Paulo may promote adverse effects on fetuses.[103]
Reprotoxic and Endocrine Substances
Published in Małgorzata Pośniak, Emerging Chemical Risks in the Work Environment, 2020
Katarzyna Miranowicz-Dzierżawska
In recent years, reports started to appear, stating that maternal exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter no larger than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) can also affect fetal development. A critical ‘time window’ is the second and fourth week after conception, when maternal exposure to PM2.5 can cause clinically recognized early pregnancy loss (CREPL) [Zhang et al. 2019]. Maternal exposure to PM2.5 is also a risk factor involved in low birth weight (LBW) and pre-term birth (PTB) [Zhang et al. 2019; Hyder et al. 2014]. Oxidative stress, DNA methylation, changes in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content, and endocrine disruption can all play a role in the mechanism of adverse effects induced by PM2.5 particles on pregnant women and fetuses [Li et al. 2019]. In the described cases, it was not specifically said whether such effects had been caused by the particles themselves, or the adsorbed substances.
Epidemiologic Studies of Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field
Published in Ben Greenebaum, Frank Barnes, Biological and Medical Aspects of Electromagnetic Fields, 2018
Leeka Kheifets, Andrew S. Park, John Swanson, Ximena Vergara
Studies using wire codes or proximity to power lines as an EMF exposure proxy have suggested no association.270–274 Studies that have used spot or front door measurements have shown mixed results. One study using spot measurements taken at the front door suggested an association between early pregnancy loss and front door fields of above 0.63 µT.275 Although spot measurements have been shown to be correlated with personal exposure, there is potential for large exposure misclassification.276 Another study found no association with spot bedroom measurement and pregnancy loss,273 while two studies showed some risk but with very low exposures and/or unclear results.277,278
Miscarriage Can Kill … But it Usually Does Not: Evaluating Inconsistency Arguments
Published in The New Bioethics, 2021
‘Miscarriage’ causes problems for CoDAs because of its referential ambiguity. Perhaps surprisingly, given how straightforward the concept might seem at first glance, it just is not clear what someone means when they say ‘miscarriage.’ Even professional publications cannot agree on the term’s meanings. Consider the following definitions: Definition A:Early pregnancy loss is defined as a nonviable, intrauterine pregnancy with either an empty gestational sac or a gestational sac containing an embryo or fetus without fetal heart activity within the first 12 weeks of gestation. In the first trimester, the terms miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, and early pregnancy loss are used interchangeably. (ACOG 2018, p. e197)Definition B:‘Spontaneous abortion is noninduced embryonic or fetal death or passage of products of conception before 20 weeks gestation’ (Dulay 2020).Definition C:Miscarriage is variously defined as: the expulsion or extraction of a fetus (embryo) weighing less than 500 g equivalent to approximately 22 weeks’ gestation (World Health Organization, 1977); or termination before fetal ‘viability’ is achieved; or termination prior to 24 completed weeks of gestation (UK legal definition). (Stabile, Chard, and Grudzinskas 2000, p. 15)Definition D:‘Miscarriage is defined as the spontaneous loss of pregnancy before the fetus reaches viability’ (RCOG 2011).