Dataset Information

Airborne PM2.5 chemical components and low birth weight in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Previous studies on air pollutants and birth outcomes have reported inconsistent results. Chemical components of particulate matter ? 2.5 µm (PM2.5) composition are spatially -heterogeneous, which might contribute to discrepancies across PM2.5 studies.

Objectives

We explored whether birth weight at term is affected by PM2.5, PM10 (PM ? 10 µm), and gaseous pollutants.

Methods

We calculated exposures during gestation and each trimester for PM2.5 chemical components, PM10, PM2.5, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and sulfur dioxide for births in 2000-2007 for states in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic United States. Associations between exposures and risk of low birth weight (LBW) were adjusted by family and individual characteristics and region. Interaction terms were used to investigate whether risk differs by race or sex.

Results

Several PM2.5 chemical components were associated with LBW. Risk increased 4.9% (95% CI: 3.4, 6.5%), 4.7% (3.2, 6.2%), 5.7% (2.7, 8.8%), and 5.0% (3.1, 7.0%) per interquartile range increase of PM2.5 aluminum, elemental carbon, nickel, and titanium, respectively. Other PM2.5 chemical components and gaseous pollutants showed associations, but were not statistically significant in multipollutant models. The trimester associated with the highest relative risk differed among pollutants. Effect estimates for PM2.5 elemental carbon and nickel were higher for infants of white mothers than for those of African-American mothers, and for males than females.

Conclusions

Most exposure levels in our study area were in compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency air pollution standards; however, we identified associations between PM2.5 components and LBW. Findings suggest that some PM2.5 components may be more harmful than others, and that some groups may be particularly susceptible.

SUBMITTER: Ebisu K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3548298 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Airborne PM2.5 chemical components and low birth weight in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.

Ebisu Keita K Bell Michelle L ML

Environmental health perspectives 20120920 12

<h4>Background</h4>Previous studies on air pollutants and birth outcomes have reported inconsistent results. Chemical components of particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) composition are spatially -heterogeneous, which might contribute to discrepancies across PM2.5 studies.<h4>Objectives</h4>We explored whether birth weight at term is affected by PM2.5, PM10 (PM ≤ 10 µm), and gaseous pollutants.<h4>Methods</h4>We calculated exposures during gestation and each trimester for PM2.5 chemical components ...[more]

PMID: 23008268

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Project description:ObjectivesThe goals of this study were to assess the air quality in subway systems in the northeastern United States and estimate the health risks for transit workers and commuters.MethodsWe report real-time and gravimetric PM2.5 concentrations and particle composition from area samples collected in the subways of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Boston, Massachusetts; New York City, New York/New Jersey (NYC/NJ); and Washington, District of Columbia. A total of 71 stations across 12 transit lines were monitored during morning and evening rush hours.ResultsWe observed variable and high PM2.5 concentrations for on-train and on-platform measurements during morning (from 0600 hours to 1000 hours) and evening (from 1500 hours to 1900 hours) rush hour across cities. Mean real-time PM2.5 concentrations in underground stations were 779±249, 548±207, 341±147, 327±136, and 112±46.7 μg/m3 for the PATH-NYC/NJ; MTA-NYC; Washington, DC; Boston; and Philadelphia transit systems, respectively. In contrast, the mean real-time ambient PM2.5 concentration taken above ground outside the subway stations of PATH-NYC/NJ; MTA-NYC; Washington, DC; Boston; and Philadelphia were 20.8±9.3, 24.1±9.3, 12.01±7.8, 10.0±2.7, and 12.6±12.6 μg/m3, respectively. Stations serviced by the PATH-NYC/NJ system had the highest mean gravimetric PM2.5 concentration, 1,020 μg/m3, ever reported for a subway system, including two 1-h gravimetric PM2.5 values of approximately 1,700 μg/m3 during rush hour at one PATH-NYC/NJ subway station. Iron and total carbon accounted for approximately 80% of the PM2.5 mass in a targeted subset of systems and stations.DiscussionOur results document that there is an elevation in the PM2.5 concentrations across subway systems in the major urban centers of Northeastern United States during rush hours. Concentrations in some subway stations suggest that transit workers and commuters may be at increased risk according to U.S. federal environmental and occupational guidelines, depending on duration of exposure. This concern is highest for the PM2.5 concentrations encountered in the PATH-NYC/NJ transit system. Further research is urgently needed to identify the sources of PM2.5 and factors that contribute to high levels in individual stations and lines and to assess their potential health impacts on workers and/or commuters. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7202.

Dataset Information

Airborne PM2.5 chemical components and low birth weight in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.

Background

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Airborne PM2.5 chemical components and low birth weight in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.

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