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Article: Study reveals cancer risk to unborn babies from city-centre air pollution Danger levels recorded in Scottish urban areas
- Article from:
- The Sunday Herald
- Article date:
- February 20, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2005 The Sunday Herald. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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LEVELS of air pollution in Scottish cities are high enough to
damage the DNA of babies in the womb and increase their chances of
contracting cancers in later life, according to a new scientific
study.
Pollutants from vehicle exhausts, power stations and cigarette
smoke have for the first time been shown to trigger abnormalities in
the chromosomes of growing foetuses. As a result, scientists say
tougher measures are needed to control air pollution and protect
children's health.
The study was carried out in New York City by health experts
funded by the US government. The dangers they uncovered, however,