The Devastating Impacts of Wildfire Smoke on Pregnancy Rights in North America.

Wildfire Smoke in North America Threatens Pregnancy Rights

The Problem at Hand

Wildfire smoke in North America is turning skies hazy and creating unhealthy air that poses a threat to pregnant people’s health. According to Skye Wheeler, senior researcher at the Women’s Rights Division of Human Rights Watch, wildfire smoke is harmful due to the harmful pollutants released into the air. The smoke contains tiny particulate matter, called PM 2.5, which can be detrimental to fetal development, leading to low birth weight, stillbirth, and maternal health diseases like hypertension and gestational diabetes. Pregnant people can experience several adverse health impacts due to the exposure to the smoke arising from the wildfires.

The Impact on Pregnant People

Maternal health complications, including fetal development, are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of air pollution. Exposure to PM 2.5 can lead to a higher risk of premature birth rates, a problem that is increasingly familiar across the United States. Wealth is a significant factor in determining who is exposed to wildfire smoke. People with greater access to resources have air purifiers, better-built homes, and flexibility in work schedules, providing better home and work environments. Conversely, low-income people have poorer living environments and work outdoors, making them more vulnerable to the adverse health impacts of the smoke.

Black communities face worse air pollution than others and may also be more vulnerable to pollution due to systemic racism. The premature birth rate is nearly twice as high for Black women as for white women in the United States.

The Need for Action

The Biden administration and Congress have taken some steps to address climate change, such as the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act. However, certain maternal health provisions, such as the “Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Act,” were not included in the legislation, affecting the most at-risk pregnant people’s protection from climate change. The bill has been reintroduced this year in Congress, and lawmakers may need to pass it to provide more protection for pregnant people against the adverse health impacts of climate change.

Conclusion

The current wildfire smoke problem adds to the long-ignored issue of air pollution and reproductive justice, contributing to the maternal health crisis in the United States. The government must take steps to address this growing problem, notably the disparities faced by women of color and low-income individuals. This requires investing in resources such as providing low-cost or free air purifiers, better maintaining homes, and providing better quality hospitality for migrant workers. The government must continue to work towards reducing climate change as it poses significant threats to the health of pregnant people and their children.