Dataset Information

U.S. census unit population exposures to ambient air pollutants.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Progress has been made recently in estimating ambient PM(2.5) (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 ?m) and ozone concentrations using various data sources and advanced modeling techniques, which resulted in gridded surfaces. However, epidemiologic and health impact studies often require population exposures to ambient air pollutants to be presented at an appropriate census geographic unit (CGU), where health data are usually available to maintain confidentiality of individual health data. We aim to generate estimates of population exposures to ambient PM(2.5) and ozone for U.S. CGUs.

Methods

We converted 2001-2006 gridded data, generated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for CDC's (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Environmental Public Health Tracking Network (EPHTN), to census block group (BG) based on spatial proximities between BG and its four nearest grids. We used a bottom-up (fine to coarse) strategy to generate population exposure estimates for larger CGUs by aggregating BG estimates weighted by population distribution.

Results

The BG daily estimates were comparable to monitoring data. On average, the estimates deviated by 2 ?g/m(3) (for PM(2.5)) and 3 ppb (for ozone) from their corresponding observed values. Population exposures to ambient PM(2.5) and ozone varied greatly across the U.S. In 2006, estimates for daily potential population exposure to ambient PM(2.5) in west coast states, the northwest and a few areas in the east and estimates for daily potential population exposure to ambient ozone in most of California and a few areas in the east/southeast exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for at least 7 days.

Conclusions

These estimates may be useful in assessing health impacts through linkage studies and in communicating with the public and policy makers for potential intervention.

SUBMITTER: Hao Y

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3274475 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

U.S. census unit population exposures to ambient air pollutants.

Hao Yongping Y Flowers Helen H Monti Michele M MM Qualters Judith R JR

International journal of health geographics 20120112

<h4>Background</h4>Progress has been made recently in estimating ambient PM(2.5) (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm) and ozone concentrations using various data sources and advanced modeling techniques, which resulted in gridded surfaces. However, epidemiologic and health impact studies often require population exposures to ambient air pollutants to be presented at an appropriate census geographic unit (CGU), where health data are usually available to maintain confidentiality ...[more]

PMID: 22239864

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Residential proximity to major roadways, and prenatal exposures to particulate matter <2.5??m (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) are linked to poor fetal outcomes but their relationship with childhood development is unclear. OBJECTIVES:We investigated whether proximity to major roadways, or prenatal and early-life exposures to PM2.5 and O3 increase the risk of early developmental delays. STUDY DESIGN:Prospective cohort. SETTINGS:New York State excluding New York City. PARTICIPANTS:4089 singletons and 1016 twins born between 2008 and 2010. EXPOSURES:Proximity to major roadway was calculated using road network data from the NY Department of Transportation. Concentrations of PM2.5 and O3 estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency Downscaler models were spatiotemporally linked to each child's prenatal and early-life addresses incorporating residential history, and locations of maternal work and day-care. OUTCOMES:Parents reported their children's development at ages 8, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months in five domains using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire. Generalized mixed models estimated the relative risk (RR) and 95% CI for failing any developmental domain per 10 units increase in PM2.5 and O3, and for those living <1000?m away from a major roadway compared to those living further. Models adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS:Compared to those >1000?m away from a major roadway, those resided 50-100?m [RR: 2.12 (1.00-4.52)] and 100-500?m [RR: 2.07 (1.02-4.22)] away had twice the risk of failing the communication domain. Prenatal exposures to both PM2.5 and ozone during various pregnancy windows had weak but significant associations with failing any developmental domain with effects ranging from 1.6% to 2.7% for a 10??g/m3 increase in PM2.5 and 0.7%-1.7% for a 10?ppb increase in ozone. Average daily postnatal ozone exposure was positively associated with failing the overall screening by 8 months [3.3% (1.1%-5.5%)], 12 months [17.7% (10.4%-25.5%)], and 30 months [7.6%, (1.3%-14.3%)]. Findings were mixed for postnatal PM2.5 exposures. CONCLUSIONS:In this prospective cohort study, proximity to major roadway and prenatal/early-life exposures to PM2.5 and O3 were associated with developmental delays. While awaiting larger studies with personal air pollution assessment, efforts to minimize air pollution exposures during critical developmental windows may be warranted.

Dataset Information

U.S. census unit population exposures to ambient air pollutants.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

U.S. census unit population exposures to ambient air pollutants.

Similar Datasets

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