A number of studies on pregnant women and newborns around the world suggest that air pollution puts babies at risk even before they are born.

A study in China shows that pregnant women living in highly polluted areas, where the air is contaminated by fossil fuels, are likely to give birth to babies with lower intelligence levels.

Another study in London suggests that tiny particles of soot breathed in by pregnant women have been found in the womb, where they can harm the growing baby. The study put five pregnant women who have never smoked before under examination and discovered that the polluted air they inhale transfers to the placenta during their pregnancy.

In Turkey, air pollution not only negatively affects circulatory and respiratory systems but also the neural systems of unborn babies, according to Dr. Kadriye Uğurlu,

"Air pollution has negative effects on babies' development in the womb. Mothers living in highly polluted areas should be more careful with their daily routes and set a schedule according to daily air quality reports," said Dr. Uğurlu.