Nature Communications (Sep 2019)

Ambient black carbon particles reach the fetal side of human placenta

  • Hannelore Bové,
  • Eva Bongaerts,
  • Eli Slenders,
  • Esmée M. Bijnens,
  • Nelly D. Saenen,
  • Wilfried Gyselaers,
  • Peter Van Eyken,
  • Michelle Plusquin,
  • Maarten B. J. Roeffaers,
  • Marcel Ameloot,
  • Tim S. Nawrot

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-11654-3
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 1
pp. 1 – 7

Abstract

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Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy has been associated with impaired birth outcomes. Here, Bové et al. report evidence of black carbon particle deposition on the fetal side of human placentae, including at early stages of pregnancy, suggesting air pollution could affect birth outcome through direct effects on the fetus.