Carbon monoxide exposure in pregnant women in the UK.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas that poses a threat to life at concentrations of just a few hundred ppm. The developing foetus is particularly vulnerable to CO exposure, and maternal exposure to much lower levels of the gas is associated with adverse outcomes such as low birth weight. This study aimed to quantify CO exposure in pregnant women's homes and assess whether breath CO levels could be linked to home-based CO exposure and sociodemographic factors.

Methods

CO levels were monitored continuously over two weeks in 161 households selected for indicators of lower socio-economic status and proximity to gas appliances, a risk factor for environmental CO exposure. Exhaled breath CO measurements were taken before and after the monitoring period.

SUBMITTER: Place E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12512385 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature