Can living near farms during pregnancy lower your baby's Apgar score?

What's actually in it

Pregnant women living near farms that spray pesticides are exposed to these chemicals through air, water, and dust. Pesticides drift from fields into nearby homes. The Apgar score, taken at birth, measures a baby's heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflexes, and skin color to assess overall health.

What the research says

A 2026 study in J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol from the Az-PEAR study tracked residential proximity to agricultural pesticide use during preconception and pregnancy and measured Apgar scores at birth. The researchers found that closer proximity to pesticide application was linked to lower Apgar scores.

Lower Apgar scores can indicate breathing difficulty, poor muscle tone, or weak reflexes at birth. While most babies recover, low scores are associated with higher risk of developmental problems.

If you live near farmland, keep windows closed during spraying season. Use HEPA air purifiers indoors. Consider relocating during pregnancy if possible, or at least during the heaviest spraying months.