By PPH Foundation
Armed conflict leaves behind more than destroyed buildings and displaced communities. It also creates toxic environments that threaten the health of pregnant women and newborns. Explosions, burning fuel depots, damaged industrial facilities, and contaminated water sources release hazardous substances into the air, soil, and water. For pregnant women, exposure to these pollutants can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth, including postpartum haemorrhage, PPH.
During warfare, the detonation of explosives and destruction of infrastructure releases a mixture of toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and particulate matter into surrounding environments. Research has shown that conflict zones often experience elevated levels of pollutants such as lead, mercury, and other toxic substances that can enter the human body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. According to research published in PubMed and environmental health studies on conflict zones, exposure to heavy metals and environmental toxins during pregnancy can disrupt normal physiological processes, including blood clotting and immune responses, which are critical for safe childbirth.
Air pollution generated by explosions, fires, and military equipment can also have serious consequences for maternal health. A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that exposure to high levels of fine particulate matter, PM2.5, during pregnancy is associated with inflammation, increased blood pressure, and complications during labour. These conditions can weaken maternal resilience during childbirth and increase vulnerability to severe bleeding after delivery.
Water contamination presents another serious risk. In conflict settings, damage to sanitation systems and water infrastructure often allows pollutants and industrial chemicals to enter drinking water supplies. According to the World Health Organization, contaminated water exposure during pregnancy can contribute to infections, anaemia, and malnutrition. Anaemia in particular is a well-established risk factor for postpartum haemorrhage because it reduces the body’s ability to tolerate blood loss during childbirth.
Environmental toxins can also disrupt hormonal balance and affect uterine function. Proper contraction of the uterus after delivery is essential for preventing excessive bleeding. Studies on toxic exposure during pregnancy indicate that certain chemicals and pollutants may interfere with muscle function and inflammatory responses, potentially weakening uterine contractions and increasing the likelihood of PPH.
Environmental damage caused by war therefore creates a hidden but significant threat to maternal health. While the immediate focus during conflict is often on trauma injuries and displacement, the long-term health consequences of toxic exposure can quietly increase the risk of maternal complications, including postpartum haemorrhage.
Professor Julius Ogeng’o, Co- Lead of the End PPH Initiative, has previously emphasized that maternal deaths often arise from a combination of biological, environmental, and systemic factors. He notes that protecting pregnant women during crises requires more than medical care alone. “Maternal survival depends not only on skilled health workers and functioning facilities, but also on the broader environment in which women live,” he says. “When war contaminates that environment, the risks to mothers and newborns multiply.”
Understanding the environmental consequences of conflict is therefore critical in efforts to reduce maternal deaths. Protecting water systems, limiting toxic exposure, and strengthening maternal health services in fragile settings remain essential steps toward preventing PPH and safeguarding the lives of mothers and their babies.
Sources
World Health Organization, Environmental Health in Emergencies and Conflicts
Environmental Health Perspectives, Air Pollution Exposure and Pregnancy Outcomes
PubMed, Environmental Toxic Exposure and Maternal Health Outcomes
United Nations Environment Programme, Environmental Consequences of Armed Conflict
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