Association of placental weight at birth with maternal whole blood concentration of heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury, selenium, and manganese): The Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS)

Lifelong health is dependent on prenatal growth and development, influenced by the placental intrauterine environment. Charged with dual functions--exchange of oxygen and nutrients as well as a barrier against toxins--the placenta itself is susceptible to environmental exposure to heavy metals.