Pollution 'triggers leukaemia in children'

Leukaemia in children could be triggered by pollution passing from the mother to the child in the womb, scientists said today.

Research being presented at a conference in London shows harmful environmental agents can cross the placenta to reach the developing foetus.

The study found that insecticides in food production and radioactive particles used in medical diagnosis during pregnancy had passed from the mother to the unborn child. The chemicals become more concentrated in the baby's body.

Cases of the cancer have rocketed and children are now at a greater risk of developing the disease. Between 480 and 500 children under the age of 15 are diagnosed with leukaemia every year and about 100 die. Cases in under fives have risen by more than 50 per cent in the past 40 years.

Scientists from Bristol were presenting the study today at the conference hosted by the Children with Leukaemia charity.