A groundbreaking study using India’s National Family Health Survey-5 and satellite data has linked air pollution-specifically PM2.5-to 13% premature births and 17% low birth weight cases across the country.

Conducted by researchers from IIT Delhi and international institutions, the study revealed that pregnant women exposed to high PM2.5 levels face up to 70% increased risk of early delivery and 40% chance of low birth weight in newborns.

The northern states-Punjab, Delhi, UP, and Haryana-show the highest pollution-linked birth complications, while northeast India fares better. Each 10 µg/m³ rise in PM2.5 levels raised the risk of premature birth by 12%.

Researchers have called for urgent interventions and strengthening of the National Clean Air Program to safeguard maternal and newborn health, especially in pollution-heavy zones.