The Trump administration’s efforts to revive coal mining and roll back air pollution rules could expose more pregnant people to harmful pollutants, increasing the risk of preterm births and other serious health problems.
Jessica Kutz reports for The 19th.
In short:
- New executive orders signed by President Trump aim to expand coal mining on public lands and weaken pollution regulations, despite strong evidence linking coal emissions to adverse pregnancy outcomes.
- Studies have shown that closing coal and oil plants can reduce preterm births by 25%, while loosening air pollution standards could increase risks of stillbirth, low birth weight, and congenital heart defects.
- Communities of color and low-income groups, particularly in regions like Louisiana's "Cancer Alley," face heightened threats from both increased toxic chemical exposure and cuts to environmental justice initiatives.
Key quote:
“We don’t like to go backwards in public health when we’ve worked hard to improve the environment for all Americans.”
— Joan Casey, associate professor at the University of Washington
Why this matters:
Coal-fired power plants emit mercury and fine particulate matter that can seriously impact human health, especially during pregnancy. Mercury contaminates water sources and, when ingested, can harm fetal development. Fine particulates, small enough to enter the bloodstream, are linked to stillbirth, low birth weight, and serious pregnancy complications. Young children, who inhale more air relative to their size, are also vulnerable. Regulatory protections against such pollutants took decades to build and led to an 89% drop in air pollution over 60 years. Rolling back these safeguards now not only risks immediate harm — including thousands of preventable deaths — but also worsens long-term threats like climate change.
Related EHN coverage: Dirty air wreaks harm long before birth
