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Polluted Air Threatens the Health of New Mexico Infants

Summary

A new study by the University of New Mexico’s Department of Geography and Environmental Studies links air pollution to low birth weight among infants born near industrial sites in New Mexico. The research, published in the Journal of Environmental Management, analyzed over 250,000 birth records from 2008 to 2017 and found a higher incidence of low birth weight among babies born to mothers living close to polluting facilities. This condition is associated with numerous long-term health risks. Areas with the worst air pollution include Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and the Permian Basin. The study calls for stricter pollution controls and enhanced air quality monitoring to protect vulnerable populations, particularly minority and low-income communities disproportionately affected by industrial emissions.

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