Exposure to airborne particulate matter during pregnancy is associated with preterm birth: a population-based cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundTest the hypothesis that exposure to fine particulate matter in the air (PM2.5) is associated with increased risk of preterm birth (PTB).MethodsGeo-spatial population-based cohort study using live birth records from Ohio (2007–2010) linked to average daily measures of PM2.5, recorded by 57 EPA network monitoring stations across the state. Geographic coordinates of the home residence for births were linked to the nearest monitoring station using ArcGIS. Association between PTB and high PM2.5 levels (above the EPA annual standard of 15 μg/m3) was estimated using GEE, with adjustment for age, race, education, parity, insurance, tobacco, birth season and year, and infant gender. An exchangeable correlation matrix for the monitor stations was used in the models. Analyses were limited to non-anomalous singleton births at 20-42weeks with no known chromosome abnormality occurring within 10 km of a monitor station.ResultsThe frequency of PTB was 8.5 % in the study cohort of 224,921 singleton live births. High PM2.5 exposure (>EPA recommended maximum) occurred frequently during the study period, with 24,662 women (11 %) having high exposure in all three trimesters. Pregnancies with high PM2.5 exposure through pregnancy had increased PTB risk even after adjustment for coexisting risk factors, adjOR 1.19 (95 % CI 1.09–1.30). Assessed per trimester, high 3rd trimester PM2.5 exposure resulted in the highest PTB risk, adjOR 1.28 (95 % CI 1.20–1.37).ConclusionsExposure to high levels of particulate air pollution, PM2.5, in pregnancy is associated with a 19 % increased risk of PTB; with greatest risk with high 3rd trimester exposure. Although the risk increase associated with high PM2.5 levels is modest, the potential impact on overall PTB rates is robust as all pregnant women are potentially at risk. This exposure may in part contribute to the higher preterm birth rates in Ohio compared to other states in the US, especially in urban areas.

Associations between maternal weekly air pollutant exposures and low birth weight: a distributed lag non-linear model

“…However, a healthy placenta, characterizing by transferring oxygen and nutrients required for fetal development and energy production from maternal blood to the fetus, is a major precondition of this circumstance [1]. Any or all of these speculated responses might result in inadequate trophoblast invasion into the uterine vasculature or placental hypoperfusion that subsequently retard the growth of fetus and ultimately lower the birth weight [60]. We consider the identified potentially relevant exposure windows were biologically plausible because the Chinese fetal weight rose from 876-2039 g during gestational weeks 27-33 and the growth curve sloped up sharply in weeks 30 and 31 [61].…”

Participatory Air Monitoring in the Midst of Uncertainty: Residents’ Experiences with the Speck Sensor

“…PM2.5 is associated with acute and long-term health impacts to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and is linked to an increase in hospital visits, lung cancer, asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dysrhythmia, low birth weight, and pre-term birth (DeFranco et al 2016;Stieb et al 2016;Marino et al 2015;Raaschou-Nielsen et al 2013;Dominici et al 2006;Nel 2005;EPA 2003). Exposure is especially harmful to children, the elderly, and individuals with existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions (Brown et al 2014;WHO 2013).…”

Occupational, environmental, and lifestyle factors and their contribution to preterm birth – An overview

“…This exposure may in part contribute to the higher PTB rates observed in Ohio compared to other states in the US. [ 9 ] In addition to traffic source of pollutants, other PAH sources were also shown to be associated with increased incidence of PTB. [ 8 ]…”