# Wildfire Smoke Impact on Pregnancy in US

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/wildfire-smoke-impact-on-pregnancy-in-us
> Updated: 2026-08-06T14:40:00.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

A 16‑year study of roughly 64.5 million pregnancies across 2,800 counties in 48 U.S. states found that, although overall air‑pollution from cars and industry has declined, wildfire smoke has become the primary pollutant linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes. About 65 % of days exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standard were attributable to wildfire smoke, and exposure was associated with higher rates of low birth weight and preterm birth. Lead author Menglu Liang of the University of Maryland emphasized that recent mega‑fires are eroding decades of air‑quality gains, highlighting growing public‑health concerns and the need for targeted protections for pregnant people in smoke‑affected regions.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-06: Wildfire Smoke Increases Prenatal Pollution, University of Maryland Study Finds

University of Maryland researchers report that wildfire smoke now dominates prenatal air‑pollution exposure in the US, doubling its share since 2003 and threatening pregnancy outcomes.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wildfire-smoke-increases-prenatal-pollution-university-of-maryland-study-finds

### 2026-08-03: Wildfire Smoke Identified as Leading Pregnancy Pollutant in U.S. Study

A U.S. study of 64.5 M pregnancies (2003‑2019) finds wildfire smoke now the main pollutant linked to low birth weight and preterm births, offsetting prior air‑quality gains.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wildfire-smoke-identified-as-leading-pregnancy-pollutant-in-us-study

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Cite as: Wildfire Smoke Impact on Pregnancy in US. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/wildfire-smoke-impact-on-pregnancy-in-us