The financial impact of pollution-caused premature birth is over $5 billion dollars. Seven-hundred sixty million dollars was estimated to be the cost associated with a premature individual over their lifetime, according to Medical Daily. Over $4 billion dollars was estimated to be lost from social contribution from these individuals. The estimated cost associated with a premature individual over their lifetime and the lost social contribution was calculated by including the possibility of lifetime disabilities associated with preterm birth.
Premature birth has been linked to lifelong health problems, including autism, asthma and underdevelopment. Medical Daily reported that when compared to other cities in the United States, researchers found that the southern U.S., New York City, Pennsylvania and the Ohio River Valley were more seriously impacted by pollution-caused preterm birth problems.
Interestingly, the authors suggested that E-ZPass toll areas correlated with a decline in premature births when comparing the declines to mothers that lived within a one-mile radius. The reason for the declines, according to the researchers, was that E-ZPass toll areas led to decreased traffic congestion and therefore lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emission from vehicles.
preterm births associated with air pollution account for nearly three percent all preterm births in the entire country.
The Washington Post reported that premature birth has been linked to decreases in IQ and financial earnings over an individual’s lifetime. The researchers of the study suggested that pollution-caused preterm births might be higher in developing nations due to lack of emission regulations. According to The Washington Post, preterm births associated with air pollution account for nearly three percent all preterm births in the entire country.
