Research has revealed that air pollution has a negative impact on the fetus of mothers, says Professor Duminda Yasaratne, a specialist in respiratory diseases.
Exposure to polluted air during the fetal period can lead to low birth weight and respiratory problems in newborns, says Professor Yasaratne. In addition, he points out that there is a risk of stillbirth or the baby being born with other medical conditions.
He points out that 40% of patients visiting the outpatient department of hospitals suffer from respiratory problems, ranging from minor breathing difficulties, runny nose and viral infections to more severe conditions such as pneumonia.
Emphasizing the importance of finding solutions to air pollution to prevent its long-term health consequences, Professor Duminda Yasaratne emphasizes that a new study is being conducted with the support of the Universities of Peradeniya and Sri Jayewardenepura to further investigate the impact of air pollution on health.