In late April the American Lung Associate released their 22nd annual “State of the Air” report. Once again, Colorado got a failing grade with widespread, dangerous levels of pollution and ozone recorded between 2017 and 2019. This year the ALA highlighted the fact that, compared to white people, people of color are actually 61% more likely to live in Colorado counties with poor air quality.
A study out of CU Boulder that included 123 Hispanic mother-infant pairs is adding to that conversation with new data showing when pregnant mothers are exposed to poor air quality their children may be at a higher risk for obesity. KGNU’s Hannah Leigh Myers spoke to the authors of the study — Dr. Tanya Alderete, an assistant professor in CU Boulder’s Department of Integrated Physiology, and Will Patterson, a Ph.D. student in the same department who also works in Dr. Alderete’s lab.
Listen:
“I would like to see studies like these adding to the evidence to inform decisions that are made about improving our air quality… especially among communities that have higher levels of exposure.” – Dr. Tanya Alderete, Assistant professor in CU Boulder’s Department of Integrated Physiology