Association between gaseous ambient air pollutants and adverse pregnancy outcomes in Vancouver, Canada.

Abstract

The association between ambient air pollution and adverse health effects, such as emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and mortality from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, has been studied extensively in many countries, including Canada. Recently, studies conducted in China, the Czech Republic, and the United States have related ambient air pollution to adverse pregnancy outcomes. In this study, we examined association between preterm birth, low birth weight, and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) among singleton live births and ambient concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone in Vancouver, Canada, for 1985-1998. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for such effects. Low birth weight was associated with exposure to SO 2 during the first month of pregnancy (OR = 1.11, 95% CI, 1.01-1.22, for a 5.0 ppb increase). Preterm birth was associated with exposure to SO 2 (OR = 1.09, 95% CI, 1.01-1.19, for a 5.0 ppb increase) and to CO (OR = 1.08, 95% CI, 1.01-1.15, for a 1.0 ppm increase) during the last month of pregnancy. IUGR was associated with exposure to SO 2 (OR = 1.07, 95% CI, 1.01-1.13, for a 5.0 ppb increase), to NO 2 (OR = 1.05, 95% CI, 1.01-1.10, for a 10.0 ppb increase), and to CO (OR = 1.06, 95% CI, 1.01-1.10, for a 1.0 ppm increase) during the first month of pregnancy. In conclusion, relatively low concentrations of gaseous air pollutants are associated with adverse effects on birth outcomes in populations experiencing diverse air pollution profiles. Key words: air pollution, intrauterine growth retardation, low birth weight, preterm birth, risk assessment, sulfur dioxide.

Association between maternal exposure to ambient air pollutants during pregnancy and fetal growth restriction

“…Similar associations between air pollution and fetal growth restrictions were observed for maternal exposures estimated either by month or by trimester of pregnancy. The present findings are consistent with those in our previous report on the association between gaseous air pollutants and IUGR based on data from Vancouver (Liu et al, 2003), as well as those in studies conducted by other investigators (Dejmek et al, 1999;Bobak, 2000;Maroziene and Grazuleviciene, 2002;Parker et al, 2005).…”

“…An IUGR birth is defined as an infant whose birth weight falls below the 10th percentile, by sex and gestational week, of all singleton live births in Canada between 1986 and 2000 (Kramer, 2003;Liu et al, 2003). All singleton live births at 37-42 weeks of gestation were included in this study.…”

“…Recent studies have further demonstrated association between ambient air pollution and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight, preterm birth, IUGR and birth defects in China (Xu et al, 1995;Wang et al, 1997), the Czech Republic (Bobak, 2000), the United States (Ritz and Yu, 1999;Ritz et al, 2000Ritz et al, , 2002Parker et al, 2005), and Korea (Lee et al, 2003). Recent Canadian studies have also provided evidence of a negative impact of air pollution on birth outcomes (Liu et al, 2003) and respiratory health among young children (Yang et al, 2003) in Vancouver. This present study further examines the impact of exposure to several ambient air pollutants on fetal growth, using data from multiple urban areas.…”

Obamacare and environmental production efficiency rankings for the 50 U.S. state governments: A Data Envelopment Analysis of health outcomes from environmental factors and state health care expenditures

“…Low levels of air pollution affect early stages of human development as well. Liu et al [19] found low ambient air pollution concentrations associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes (low birth weight, preterm birth, and intrauterine growth retardation). Not only is air pollution associated with increased mortality and morbidity, it is also linked to an increase in the number of hospital admissions (Burnett et al, [12,20]; Linn et al, [21]; Peters et al [22]; Oftedal et al [23]).…”

O impacto da exposição pré-gestacional à poluição atmosférica sobre o processo de implantação embrionária em camundongos

“…Em sua maioria são estudos epidemiológicos que indicam uma associação da exposição parenteral à poluição do ar nos grandes centros urbanos com desfechos negativos como o baixo peso do recém nascido, mortalidade neonatal, prematuridade e restrição no crescimento intrauterino (Holstius et al, 2012;Chang et al, 2012;;Liu et al, 2003;Maisonet et al, 2001;Gauderman et al, 2000;Wang et al, 1997 (Croy, Kiso, 1993;Croy et al, 2006;Taront et al, 2009).…”