Particle transfer across the placenta has been suggested but to date, no direct evidence in
real-life, human context exists. Here we report the presence of black carbon (BC) particles
as part of combustion-derived particulate matter in human placentae using white-light
generation under femtosecond pulsed illumination. BC is identified in all screened
placentae, with an average (SD) particle count of 0.95× 104 (0.66× 104) and 2.09× 104
(0.9× 104) particles per mm3 for low and high exposed mothers, respectively. Furthermore …

Background/Aim: Mothers' exposure to ambient air pollution, including black carbon (BC),
during pregnancy has been associated with several adverse birth outcomes. In this regard,
particle transfer across the placenta has been suggested, yet to date, no direct evidence in a
real-life human context exists. Here, we screened placental tissue for the presence of BC as
part of the combustion-derived particulate matter. Methods: Placental BC load was
determined in the framework of the ENVIRONAGE (ENVIRonmental influence ON AGEing in …