Preterm birth associated with maternal fine particulate matter exposure: A global, regional and national assessment

This study by the The Stockholm Environment Institute at the University of York identifies maternal fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) exposure as a possible risk factor contributing to preterm birth. The aim of this study was to produce the first estimates of ambient PM_2.5 - associated preterm births for 183 individual countries and globally.

It finds that in 2010, about 2.7 million preterm births globally – or 18% of all pre-term births – were associated with outdoor exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5 is especially harmful to human health, as it can penetrate deep inside the lungs).