Wildfire smoke is now the primary pollutant affecting pregnancy, study shows

A study analyzing 64.5 million pregnancies from 2003 to 2019 found that wildfire smoke has become the primary pollutant affecting pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight and preterm births. While pollution from cars and industry has decreased, wildfire smoke has offset these gains, with 65% of days exceeding air quality standards attributed to wildfires. Recent years, including 2020 and 2024, saw severe wildfire seasons impacting regions like Washington, D.C., Ontario, and Oregon.