Measuring the effects of mists of sand on fetal growth

As part of the national research program, two calls for research projects were released: the first with a general-interest and the second dedicated to "radio frequencies and health”. Thirty-four projects have been selected and will be funded, thanks to a EUR 6 million budget. Among these projects, one is from Guadeloupe, it is called BrumiSaTerre.

BrumiSaTerre focuses on the impact of the mists of sand on fetal growth in our region. The epidemiological evidence of the impact of desert dust episodes on human health is scarce and inconsistent. The studies that are mainly carried out in Mediterranean countries focused on cardio-respiratory and cerebrovascular outcomes.

However, maternal exposure to fine-particulate pollution is associated with an increased risk of poor pregnancy outcomes.

The rate of preterm birth is high in the French West Indies, despite an access to medical care that is comparable to that of mainland France. This is the reason why the BrumiSaTerre project aims at investigating the impact of Saharan dust episodes on fetal growth in the Guadeloupean population.