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Martenies SE, Oloo A, Magzamen S, Ji N, Khalili R, Kaur S, Xu Y, Yang T, Bastain TM, Breton CV, Farzan SF, Habre R, Dabelea D. Independent and joint effects of neighborhood-level environmental and socioeconomic exposures on body mass index in early childhood: The environmental influences on child health outcomes (ECHO) cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 253:119109. [PMID: 38751004 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Past studies support the hypothesis that the prenatal period influences childhood growth. However, few studies explore the joint effects of exposures that occur simultaneously during pregnancy. To explore the feasibility of using mixtures methods with neighborhood-level environmental exposures, we assessed the effects of multiple prenatal exposures on body mass index (BMI) from birth to age 24 months. We used data from two cohorts: Healthy Start (n = 977) and Maternal and Developmental Risks from Environmental and Social Stressors (MADRES; n = 303). BMI was measured at delivery and 6, 12, and 24 months and standardized as z-scores. We included variables for air pollutants, built and natural environments, food access, and neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES). We used two complementary statistical approaches: single-exposure linear regression and quantile-based g-computation. Models were fit separately for each cohort and time point and were adjusted for relevant covariates. Single-exposure models identified negative associations between NO2 and distance to parks and positive associations between low neighborhood SES and BMI z-scores for Healthy Start participants; for MADRES participants, we observed negative associations between O3 and distance to parks and BMI z-scores. G-computations models produced comparable results for each cohort: higher exposures were generally associated with lower BMI, although results were not significant. Results from the g-computation models, which do not require a priori knowledge of the direction of associations, indicated that the direction of associations between mixture components and BMI varied by cohort and time point. Our study highlights challenges in assessing mixtures effects at the neighborhood level and in harmonizing exposure data across cohorts. For example, geospatial data of neighborhood-level exposures may not fully capture the qualities that might influence health behavior. Studies aiming to harmonize geospatial data from different geographical regions should consider contextual factors when operationalizing exposure variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheena E Martenies
- Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Family Resiliency Center, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
| | - Alice Oloo
- Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Sheryl Magzamen
- Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA; Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Nan Ji
- Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Roxana Khalili
- Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Simrandeep Kaur
- Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Yan Xu
- Spatial Sciences Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tingyu Yang
- Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Theresa M Bastain
- Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carrie V Breton
- Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shohreh F Farzan
- Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rima Habre
- Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Spatial Sciences Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dana Dabelea
- Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA; Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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2
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Hernandez-Castro I, Eckel SP, Howe CG, Aung MT, Kannan K, Robinson M, Foley HB, Yang T, Vigil MJ, Chen X, Grubbs B, Al-Marayati L, Toledo-Corral CM, Habre R, Dunton GF, Farzan SF, Morales S, Breton CV, Bastain TM. Organophosphate Ester Flame Retardant Chemicals and Maternal Depression During Pregnancy. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024:119581. [PMID: 38992754 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression substantially contributes to pregnancy-related morbidity, and pregnancy is increasingly recognized as a vulnerable window for exposure effects on maternal mental health. Exposures to organophosphate esters (OPEs) are ubiquitous and may have neurotoxic effects; however, their impacts on prenatal depression remain unknown. We evaluated associations of third trimester OPE metabolites on maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy. METHODS This study included 422 participants in the Maternal and Developmental Risks from Environmental and Social Stressors (MADRES) cohort, a prospective pregnancy cohort of primarily low-income and Hispanic participants residing in Los Angeles, California. We measured concentrations of nine OPEs in third trimester spot urine samples (mean gestational age= 31.5±2.0 weeks). Using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale, we classified participants as having probable depression during pregnancy (N=137) or not (N=285) if one or more CES-D scores administered at each trimester met the suggested cutoff score for clinically significant depressive symptoms (≥16). We estimated associations of prenatal OPE metabolite concentrations in tertiles and risk of prenatal depression using modified Log-Poisson regression. We examined associations of the OPE mixture on depression during pregnancy using Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). RESULTS Participants with the highest tertiles of DPHP and BDCIPP exposure had a 67% (95% CI: 22%, 128%) and 47% (95% CI: 4%, 108%) increased risk of maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy, respectively. No associations between other OPE metabolites and maternal depression symptoms were observed. In mixture analyses, we observed a positive and linear association between higher exposure to the OPE metabolite mixture and odds of prenatal maternal depression, primarily driven by DPHP. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide new evidence of associations between frequently detected OPE metabolites on maternal depression symptoms during pregnancy. Results could inform future intervention efforts aimed at reducing perinatal maternal depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ixel Hernandez-Castro
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sandrah P Eckel
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Caitlin G Howe
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Max T Aung
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Morgan Robinson
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Helen B Foley
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tingyu Yang
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mario J Vigil
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xinci Chen
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brendan Grubbs
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Laila Al-Marayati
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Claudia M Toledo-Corral
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Health Sciences, California State University Northridge, Northridge, CA, USA
| | - Rima Habre
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Genevieve F Dunton
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shohreh F Farzan
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Santiago Morales
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carrie V Breton
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Theresa M Bastain
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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3
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Mazumder H, Rimu FH, Shimul MH, Das J, Gain EP, Liaw W, Hossain MM. Maternal health outcomes associated with ambient air pollution: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 914:169792. [PMID: 38199356 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
A growing body of literature demonstrated an association between exposure to ambient air pollution and maternal health outcomes with mixed findings. The objective of this umbrella review was to systematically summarize the global evidence on the effects of air pollutants on maternal health outcomes. We adopted the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting standards for this umbrella review. We conducted a comprehensive search across six major electronic databases and other sources to identify relevant systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMAs) published from the inception of these databases up to June 30, 2023. Out of 2399 records, 20 citations matched all pre-determined eligibility criteria that include SRMAs focusing on exposure to air pollution and its impact on maternal health, reported quantitative measures or summary effects, and published in peer-reviewed journals in the English language. The risk of bias of included SRMAs was evaluated based on the JBI critical appraisal checklist. All SRMAs reported significant positive associations between ambient air pollution and several maternal health outcomes. Specifically, particulate matter (PM), SO2, and NO demonstrated positive associations with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Moreover, PM and NO2 showed a consistent positive relationship with hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) and preeclampsia (PE). Although limited, available evidence highlighted a positive correlation between PM and gestational hypertension (GH) and spontaneous abortion (SAB). Only one meta-analysis reported the effects of air pollution on maternal postpartum depression (PPD) where only PM10 showed a significant positive relationship. Limited studies were identified from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), suggesting evidence gap from the global south. This review necessitates further research on underrepresented regions and communities to strengthen evidence on this critical issue. Lastly, interdisciplinary policymaking and multilevel interventions are needed to alleviate ambient air pollution and associated maternal health disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoimonty Mazumder
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, United States.
| | - Fariha Hoque Rimu
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Monir Hossain Shimul
- Department of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Jyoti Das
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Easter Protiva Gain
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, United States
| | - Winston Liaw
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health Sciences, Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, University of Houston, TX 77204, United States
| | - M Mahbub Hossain
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health Sciences, Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, University of Houston, TX 77204, United States; Department of Decision and Information Sciences, C.T. Bauer College of Business, University of Houston, TX 77204, United States
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4
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Pourhoseini SA, Akbary A, Mahmoudi H, Akbari M, Heydari ST. Association between prenatal period exposure to ambient air pollutants and development of postpartum depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2024; 34:455-465. [PMID: 36469809 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2022.2153808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
There is body of evidence supporting a role for maternal exposure to ambient air pollutants and postpartum depression (PPD). We attempted to review the literature systematically to assess the association between exposure to both ambient air particulate matters within pregnancy and PPD. The effect estimates extracting across each study were standardized to a 10 μg/m3 change. The random-effects model was applied to pool odds ratios. According to the three included cohort articles, exposure to PM10 within second trimester (OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.15-1.37) was significantly associated with higher odds of PPD. However, there was no significant association between having exposure to other ambient air pollutants and PPD. This meta-analysis showed that air pollutants could be associated with an increased risk of PPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh Azam Pourhoseini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Akbary
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Social Determinants of Health Research Cente, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
| | - Hedieh Mahmoudi
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Maryam Akbari
- Health Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Seyed Taghi Heydari
- Health Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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5
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Basilio E, Zlatnik MG. Extreme weather-Wildfires & pregnancy. Semin Perinatol 2023; 47:151839. [PMID: 37863677 DOI: 10.1016/j.semperi.2023.151839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
As described in the previous chapter, Chapter 4: Air pollution and pregnancy, there is robust literature on the adverse health impacts of ambient air pollution on perinatal outcomes. With climate change contributing to more extreme weather patterns, wildfire events are becoming more intense and frequent. Wildfire smoke is a major contributor to poor air quality and data are beginning to emerge with respect to the negative impact on perinatal outcomes. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the current literature on wildfire smoke exposure in pregnancy and associated adverse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Basilio
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco
| | - Marya G Zlatnik
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Sciences, Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, UCSF, University of California San Francisco.
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6
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Schulte K, Hudson B. A cross-sectional study of inequalities in digital air pollution information access and exposure reducing behavior uptake in the UK. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 181:108236. [PMID: 37832262 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution is a pervasive global environmental challenge that presents substantial and differential risk across populations. Individual-level pollution exposure is a function of varying factors, including but not limited to geographic location, proximity to point sources, ventilation, and behavioral patterns. Mounting evidence suggests that informational interventions can play a substantial role in mediating exposures for specific population subgroups and reduce downstream adverse health outcomes. The literature has yet to address whether access to air quality information is sociodemographically stratified, and whether such access correlates with increased uptake of exposure reducing behaviors at the population level. This study represents a first step in answering these questions by analysing responses from the "Clean Air Public Insight Tracker" nationally representative survey (n = 1,993) of the UK population, administered by UK charity Global Action Plan. Results from logistic regression and zero-inflated negative binomial models estimate 28% of the population have accessed air pollution information, while the odds of younger individuals (ages 18-36), men, and non-white individuals of accessing digitally available air quality information are greater that those outside these categories. Additionally, the odds of behavior uptake is greater if an individual accesses digital information sources like the internet, mobile apps or social media, has a higher education qualification or cares for someone with a health condition. These findings contribute to the growing literature surrounding which population groups engage with environmental and health-relevant information channels, and what connects engagement with air quality channels and uptake of exposure reducing behaviors. These results reinforce the need for additional research around air pollution informational alerts and exploring causal links between specific exposure reducing behaviours and improved health outcomes. It can also help inform the flow of resources and targeting of informational campaigns towards sociodemographic groups that are less likely to engage with air quality information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla Schulte
- Environmental Research Group, MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, United Kingdom; Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
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7
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Zhong J, Hodgson JR, James Bloss W, Shi Z. Impacts of net zero policies on air quality in a metropolitan area of the United Kingdom: Towards world health organization air quality guidelines. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 236:116704. [PMID: 37481053 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Climate change and air pollution are closely interlinked since carbon dioxide and air pollutants are co-emitted from fossil fuel combustion. Net Zero (NZ) policies aiming to reduce carbon emissions will likely bring co-benefits in air quality and associated health. However, it is unknown whether regional NZ policies alone will be sufficient to reduce air pollutant levels to meet the latest 2021 World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. Here, we carried out high resolution air quality modelling for in the West Midlands region, a typical metropolitan area in the UK, to quantify the effects of different NZ policies on air quality. Results show that NZ policies will significantly improve air quality in the West Midlands, with up to 6 μg m-3 (21%) reduction in annual mean NO2 (mostly through the electrification of vehicle fleet, EV) and up to 1.4 μg m-3 (12%) reduction in annual mean PM2.5 projected for 2030 relative to levels under a "business as usual" (BAU) scenario. Under BAU, 2030 PM2.5 concentrations in most wards would be below 10 μg m-3 whilst under the Net Zero scenario, those in all wards would be below 10 μg m-3. This means that the ward averages in the West Midlands would meet the UK PM2.5 of 10 μg m-3target a decade early under the Net Zero scenario. However, no ward-level-averaged annual mean PM2.concentrations meet the 2021 WHO Air Quality guideline level of 5 μg m-3 under any scenario. Similarly for NO2 only 18 wards (8% of the region's population) are predicted to have NO2 concentrations below the 2021 WHO guideline level (10 μg m-3). Decarbonisation policies linked to Net Zero deliver substantial regional air quality benefits, but are not in isolation sufficient to deliver clean air with air pollutant levels low enough to meet the 2021 WHO guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhong
- School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, the University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - James Robert Hodgson
- School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, the University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - William James Bloss
- School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, the University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Zongbo Shi
- School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, the University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
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8
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McDonald VM, Archbold G, Beyene T, Brew BK, Franklin P, Gibson PG, Harrington J, Hansbro PM, Johnston FH, Robinson PD, Sutherland M, Yates D, Zosky GR, Abramson MJ. Asthma and landscape fire smoke: A Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand position statement. Respirology 2023; 28:1023-1035. [PMID: 37712340 PMCID: PMC10946536 DOI: 10.1111/resp.14593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Landscape fires are increasing in frequency and severity globally. In Australia, extreme bushfires cause a large and increasing health and socioeconomic burden for communities and governments. People with asthma are particularly vulnerable to the effects of landscape fire smoke (LFS) exposure. Here, we present a position statement from the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand. Within this statement we provide a review of the impact of LFS on adults and children with asthma, highlighting the greater impact of LFS on vulnerable groups, particularly older people, pregnant women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We also highlight the development of asthma on the background of risk factors (smoking, occupation and atopy). Within this document we present advice for asthma management, smoke mitigation strategies and access to air quality information, that should be implemented during periods of LFS. We promote clinician awareness, and the implementation of public health messaging and preparation, especially for people with asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa M. McDonald
- College of Health, Medicine and WellbeingUniversity of NewcastleCallaghanNew South WalesAustralia
- Asthma and Breathing Research ProgramThe Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI)New LambtonNew South WalesAustralia
- Department of Sleep and Respiratory MedicineHunter New England Local Health DistrictNewcastleNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Gregory Archbold
- Asthma and Breathing Research ProgramThe Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI)New LambtonNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Tesfalidet Beyene
- College of Health, Medicine and WellbeingUniversity of NewcastleCallaghanNew South WalesAustralia
- Asthma and Breathing Research ProgramThe Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI)New LambtonNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Bronwyn K. Brew
- National Perinatal Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Centre for Big Data Research in Health, Discipline of Women's Health, Faculty of MedicineUNSWSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Peter Franklin
- School of Population and Global HealthThe University of Western AustraliaPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Peter G. Gibson
- College of Health, Medicine and WellbeingUniversity of NewcastleCallaghanNew South WalesAustralia
- Asthma and Breathing Research ProgramThe Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI)New LambtonNew South WalesAustralia
- Department of Sleep and Respiratory MedicineHunter New England Local Health DistrictNewcastleNew South WalesAustralia
| | - John Harrington
- Asthma and Breathing Research ProgramThe Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI)New LambtonNew South WalesAustralia
- Department of Sleep and Respiratory MedicineHunter New England Local Health DistrictNewcastleNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Philip M. Hansbro
- Centre for InflammationCentenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of ScienceSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Immune HealthHunter Medical Research Institute and The University of NewcastleCallaghanNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Fay H. Johnston
- Menzies Institute for Medical ResearchUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Paul D. Robinson
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep MedicineQueensland Children's HospitalBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
- Children's Health and Environment Program, Child Health Research CentreUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | | | - Deborah Yates
- Department of Thoracic MedicineSt Vincent's HospitalDarlinghurstNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Clinical MedicineUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Graeme R. Zosky
- Menzies Institute for Medical ResearchUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
- Tasmanian School of MedicineUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Michael J. Abramson
- School of Public Health & Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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9
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Cao L, Diao R, Shi X, Cao L, Gong Z, Zhang X, Yan X, Wang T, Mao H. Effects of Air Pollution Exposure during Preconception and Pregnancy on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. TOXICS 2023; 11:728. [PMID: 37755739 PMCID: PMC10534707 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11090728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the association between air pollution and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in small- and medium-sized cities, identify sensitive periods and major pollutants, and explore the effects of air pollution on different populations. A total of 9820 women who delivered in Handan Maternal and Child Health Hospital in the Hebei Province from February 2018 to July 2020 were included in the study. Logistic regression and principal component logistic regression models were used to assess the effects of air pollution exposure during preconception and pregnancy on GDM risk and the differences in the effects across populations. The results suggested that each 20 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and PM10 exposure during preconception and pregnancy significantly increased the risk of GDM, and a 10 μg/m3 increase in NO2 exposure during pregnancy was also associated with the risk of GDM. In a subgroup analysis, pregnant women aged 30-35 years, nulliparous women, and those with less than a bachelor's education were the most sensitive groups. This study provides evidence for an association between air pollution and the prevalence of GDM, with PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 as risk factors for GDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Cao
- China Institute for Radiation Protection, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Transport Emission Research & State Environmental Protection Key, Laboratory of Urban Ambient Air Particulate Matter Pollution Prevention and Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Ruiping Diao
- Handan Maternal and Children Health Hospital, Handan 056001, China
| | - Xuefeng Shi
- China Institute for Radiation Protection, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Lu Cao
- China Institute for Radiation Protection, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Zerui Gong
- China Institute for Radiation Protection, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Xupeng Zhang
- China Institute for Radiation Protection, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Xiaohan Yan
- China Institute for Radiation Protection, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Transport Emission Research & State Environmental Protection Key, Laboratory of Urban Ambient Air Particulate Matter Pollution Prevention and Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hongjun Mao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Transport Emission Research & State Environmental Protection Key, Laboratory of Urban Ambient Air Particulate Matter Pollution Prevention and Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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10
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Leong M, Karr CJ, Shah SI, Brumberg HL. Before the first breath: why ambient air pollution and climate change should matter to neonatal-perinatal providers. J Perinatol 2023; 43:1059-1066. [PMID: 36038659 PMCID: PMC9421104 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-022-01479-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Common outdoor air pollutants present threats to fetal and neonatal health, placing neonatal-perinatal clinical specialists in an important role for harm reduction through patient counseling and advocacy. Climate change is intertwined with air pollution and influences air quality. There is increasing evidence demonstrating the unique vulnerability in the development of adverse health consequences from exposures during the preconception, prenatal, and early postnatal periods, as well as promising indications that policies aimed at addressing these toxicants have improved birth outcomes. Advocacy by neonatal-perinatal providers articulating the potential impact of pollutants on newborns and mothers is essential to promoting improvements in air quality and reducing exposures. The goal of this review is to update neonatal-perinatal clinical specialists on the key ambient air pollutants of concern, their sources and health effects, and to outline strategies for protecting patients and communities from documented adverse health consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Leong
- Division of Neonatology, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Westchester Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.
| | - Catherine J Karr
- Departments of Pediatrics and Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences and Northwest Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Shetal I Shah
- Division of Neonatology, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Westchester Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Heather L Brumberg
- Division of Neonatology, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Westchester Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
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11
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Alvarado-Jiménez D, Donzelli G, Morales-Suárez-Varela M. A systematic review on the association between exposure to air particulate matter during pregnancy and the development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2023; 0:reveh-2022-0258. [PMID: 37141623 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2022-0258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) is considered an intrauterine toxin that can cross the blood-placental barrier and circulate in fetal blood, affecting fetal development, and implicating placental and intrauterine inflammation, and oxidative damage. However, the relationship between PM exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes is still unclear and our aim was to systematically review toxicological evidence on the link between PM exposure during pregnancy and the development of gestational diabetes mellitus or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia. PubMed and Science Direct were searched until January 2022. Of the 204 studies identified, 168 were excluded. The remaining articles were assessed in full-text, and after evaluation, 27 were included in the review. Most of the studies showed an association between PM exposure and gestational hypertension, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, and gestational diabetes mellitus. These results should be interpreted with caution due to the heterogeneity of baseline concentrations, which ranged from 3.3 μg/m3 to 85.9 μg/m3 and from 21.8 μg/m3 to 92.2 μg/m3, respectively for PM2.5 and PM10. Moreover, critical exposure periods were not consistent among studies, with five out of ten observational studies reporting the second trimester as the critical period for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and ten out of twelve observational studies reporting the first or second trimester as the critical period for gestational diabetes mellitus. Overall, the findings support an association between PM exposure during pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes, highlighting the need for further research to identify the critical exposure periods and underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriele Donzelli
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - María Morales-Suárez-Varela
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology, and Legal Medicine, School of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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12
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Buxton MA, Heydarzadeh S, Gronlund CJ, Castillo-Castrejon M, Godines-Enriquez MS, O’Neill MS, Vadillo-Ortega F. Associations between Air Pollution Exposure and Blood Pressure during Pregnancy among PRINCESA Cohort Participants. TOXICS 2023; 11:424. [PMID: 37235239 PMCID: PMC10222039 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11050424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
High blood pressure (BP) is a risk factor for hypertensive disease during pregnancy. Exposure to multiple toxic air pollutants can affect BP in pregnancy but has been rarely studied. We evaluated trimester-specific associations between air pollution exposure and systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP). Ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter less than 10 and 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10, PM2.5) in the Pregnancy Research on Inflammation, Nutrition, & City Environment: Systematic Analyses (PRINCESA) study. Multipollutant generalized linear regression models with each pollutant and O3 were fit. Due to nonlinear pollution/BP associations, results are presented for "below the median" or "above the median", where the beta estimate is the change in BP at a pollutant's median versus BP at the pollutant's minimum or maximum, respectively. Associations varied across trimesters and pollutants, and deleterious associations (higher blood pressure with higher pollution) were found only at pollutant values below the median: for SBP with NO2 in the second and third trimesters, and PM2.5 during the third trimester, and for DBP, PM2.5, and NO2 in the second and third trimesters. Findings suggest that minimizing prenatal exposure to air pollution may reduce the risks of changes in BP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miatta A. Buxton
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.H.); (C.J.G.); (M.S.O.)
| | - Safa Heydarzadeh
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.H.); (C.J.G.); (M.S.O.)
| | - Carina J. Gronlund
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.H.); (C.J.G.); (M.S.O.)
- Institute for Social Research, Survey Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
| | - Marisol Castillo-Castrejon
- Department of Pathology, Stephenson Cancer Center, Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | | | - Marie S. O’Neill
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.H.); (C.J.G.); (M.S.O.)
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Felipe Vadillo-Ortega
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
- Unidad de Vinculación Científica de la Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México en el Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico City 14610, Mexico
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13
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Li G, Hu W, Lu H, Liu J, Li X, He J, Zhu J, Zhao H, Hao J, Huang F. Maternal exposure to extreme high-temperature, particulate air pollution and macrosomia in 14 countries of Africa. Pediatr Obes 2023; 18:e13004. [PMID: 36680476 DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.13004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Macrosomia has increased rapidly worldwide in the past few decades, with a huge impact on health. However, the effect of PM2.5 and extreme high-temperature (EHT) on macrosomia has been ignored. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the association between maternal exposure to EHT, PM2.5 and macrosomia based on the Seventh Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) in 14 countries of Africa. METHODS The study included detailed demographic information on 106 382 births and maternal. Satellite inversion models estimated monthly mean PM2.5 and mean surface temperature of 2 m (SMT2m ). Macrosomia was defined as the birth weight ≥ 4000 g. We used a Cox proportional risk regression model to estimate the association between PM2.5 , EHT and macrosomia. We further explored the susceptibility of exposure to EHT and PM2.5 at different pregnancy periods to macrosomia, and plotted the expose-response curve between PM2.5 and macrosomia risk using a restricted cubic spline function. In addition, the Interplot model was used to investigate the interaction between EHT and PM2.5 on macrosomia. Finally, some potential confounding factors were analysed by stratification. RESULTS There was the positive association between EHT, PM2.5 and macrosomia, and the risk of macrosomia with the increase in concentrations of PM2.5 without clear threshold. Meanwhile, EHT and PM2.5 had a higher effect on macrosomia in middle/later and early/middle stages of pregnancy, respectively. There was a significant interaction between EHT and PM2.5 on macrosomia. CONCLUSIONS Maternal exposure to EHT, PM2.5 during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of macrosomia in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoao Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Wenlei Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Huanhuan Lu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Jianjun Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Xue Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Jialiu He
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Jinliang Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Huanhuan Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Jiahu Hao
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, PR China
| | - Fen Huang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, PR China
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14
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Sklar RS, Padula AM. Housing: Fragile buffer to wildfire smoke in pregnancy. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2023; 160:385-387. [PMID: 36030409 PMCID: PMC9987509 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
SynopsisLiving near or migrating to areas at high risk for wildfires may result in health consequences and increased disparities for pregnant people and their children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel S Sklar
- Program for Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Amy M Padula
- Program for Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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15
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Northeim K, Oppong JR. Mapping Health Fragility and Vulnerability in Air Pollution-Monitoring Networks in Dallas-Fort Worth. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1807. [PMID: 36767174 PMCID: PMC9914925 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Environmental air pollution remains a major contributor to negative health outcomes and mortality, but the relationship between socially vulnerable populations and air pollution is not well understood. Although air pollution potentially affects everyone, the combination of underlying health, socioeconomic, and demographic factors exacerbate the impact for socially vulnerable population groups, and the United States Clean Air Act (CAA) describes an obligation to protect these populations. This paper seeks to understand how air pollution monitor placement strategies and policy may neglect social vulnerabilities and therefore potentially underestimate exposure burdens in vulnerable populations. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association between being in an ozone-monitored area or not on 15 vulnerability indicators. It was found that the odds of not being in an ozone-monitored area (not covered, outside) increased for the predictor mobile homes (OR = 4.831, 95% CI [2.500-9.338] and OR = 8.066, 95% CI [4.390-14.820] for the 10 and 20 km spatial units, respectively) and decreased for the predictor multiunit structures (OR = 0.281, 95% CI [0.281-0.548] and OR = 0.130, 95% CI [0.037, 0.457] for the 10 and 20 km spatial units, respectively) and the predictor speaks English "less than well" (OR = 0.521, 95% CI [0.292-0.931] for 10 km). These results indicate that existing pollution sensor coverage may neglect areas with concentrations of highly vulnerable populations in mobile homes, and future monitoring placement policy decisions must work to address this imbalance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari Northeim
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76104, USA
| | - Joseph R. Oppong
- Department of Geography and the Environment, University of North Texas, 1704 W. Mulberry, Denton, TX 76203, USA
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16
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Varshavsky JR, Rayasam SDG, Sass JB, Axelrad DA, Cranor CF, Hattis D, Hauser R, Koman PD, Marquez EC, Morello-Frosch R, Oksas C, Patton S, Robinson JF, Sathyanarayana S, Shepard PM, Woodruff TJ. Current practice and recommendations for advancing how human variability and susceptibility are considered in chemical risk assessment. Environ Health 2023; 21:133. [PMID: 36635753 PMCID: PMC9835253 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00940-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
A key element of risk assessment is accounting for the full range of variability in response to environmental exposures. Default dose-response methods typically assume a 10-fold difference in response to chemical exposures between average (healthy) and susceptible humans, despite evidence of wider variability. Experts and authoritative bodies support using advanced techniques to better account for human variability due to factors such as in utero or early life exposure and exposure to multiple environmental, social, and economic stressors.This review describes: 1) sources of human variability and susceptibility in dose-response assessment, 2) existing US frameworks for addressing response variability in risk assessment; 3) key scientific inadequacies necessitating updated methods; 4) improved approaches and opportunities for better use of science; and 5) specific and quantitative recommendations to address evidence and policy needs.Current default adjustment factors do not sufficiently capture human variability in dose-response and thus are inadequate to protect the entire population. Susceptible groups are not appropriately protected under current regulatory guidelines. Emerging tools and data sources that better account for human variability and susceptibility include probabilistic methods, genetically diverse in vivo and in vitro models, and the use of human data to capture underlying risk and/or assess combined effects from chemical and non-chemical stressors.We recommend using updated methods and data to improve consideration of human variability and susceptibility in risk assessment, including the use of increased default human variability factors and separate adjustment factors for capturing age/life stage of development and exposure to multiple chemical and non-chemical stressors. Updated methods would result in greater transparency and protection for susceptible groups, including children, infants, people who are pregnant or nursing, people with disabilities, and those burdened by additional environmental exposures and/or social factors such as poverty and racism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia R Varshavsky
- Department of Health Sciences and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Swati D G Rayasam
- Department of Obstetrics, Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Carl F Cranor
- Department of Philosophy, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
- Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Dale Hattis
- The George Perkins Marsh Institute, Clark University, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Russ Hauser
- Department of Environmental Health, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patricia D Koman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Rachel Morello-Frosch
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Catherine Oksas
- University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Joshua F Robinson
- Department of Obstetrics, Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Center for Reproductive Sciences and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sheela Sathyanarayana
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Tracey J Woodruff
- Department of Obstetrics, Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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17
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Woodruff TJ, Rayasam SDG, Axelrad DA, Koman PD, Chartres N, Bennett DH, Birnbaum LS, Brown P, Carignan CC, Cooper C, Cranor CF, Diamond ML, Franjevic S, Gartner EC, Hattis D, Hauser R, Heiger-Bernays W, Joglekar R, Lam J, Levy JI, MacRoy PM, Maffini MV, Marquez EC, Morello-Frosch R, Nachman KE, Nielsen GH, Oksas C, Abrahamsson DP, Patisaul HB, Patton S, Robinson JF, Rodgers KM, Rossi MS, Rudel RA, Sass JB, Sathyanarayana S, Schettler T, Shaffer RM, Shamasunder B, Shepard PM, Shrader-Frechette K, Solomon GM, Subra WA, Vandenberg LN, Varshavsky JR, White RF, Zarker K, Zeise L. A science-based agenda for health-protective chemical assessments and decisions: overview and consensus statement. Environ Health 2023; 21:132. [PMID: 36635734 PMCID: PMC9835243 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00930-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The manufacture and production of industrial chemicals continues to increase, with hundreds of thousands of chemicals and chemical mixtures used worldwide, leading to widespread population exposures and resultant health impacts. Low-wealth communities and communities of color often bear disproportionate burdens of exposure and impact; all compounded by regulatory delays to the detriment of public health. Multiple authoritative bodies and scientific consensus groups have called for actions to prevent harmful exposures via improved policy approaches. We worked across multiple disciplines to develop consensus recommendations for health-protective, scientific approaches to reduce harmful chemical exposures, which can be applied to current US policies governing industrial chemicals and environmental pollutants. This consensus identifies five principles and scientific recommendations for improving how agencies like the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approach and conduct hazard and risk assessment and risk management analyses: (1) the financial burden of data generation for any given chemical on (or to be introduced to) the market should be on the chemical producers that benefit from their production and use; (2) lack of data does not equate to lack of hazard, exposure, or risk; (3) populations at greater risk, including those that are more susceptible or more highly exposed, must be better identified and protected to account for their real-world risks; (4) hazard and risk assessments should not assume existence of a "safe" or "no-risk" level of chemical exposure in the diverse general population; and (5) hazard and risk assessments must evaluate and account for financial conflicts of interest in the body of evidence. While many of these recommendations focus specifically on the EPA, they are general principles for environmental health that could be adopted by any agency or entity engaged in exposure, hazard, and risk assessment. We also detail recommendations for four priority areas in companion papers (exposure assessment methods, human variability assessment, methods for quantifying non-cancer health outcomes, and a framework for defining chemical classes). These recommendations constitute key steps for improved evidence-based environmental health decision-making and public health protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracey J Woodruff
- Program On Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 490 Illinois Street, Floor 10, Box 0132, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Swati D G Rayasam
- Program On Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 490 Illinois Street, Floor 10, Box 0132, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | | | - Patricia D Koman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nicholas Chartres
- Program On Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 490 Illinois Street, Floor 10, Box 0132, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Deborah H Bennett
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Linda S Birnbaum
- National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
- Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Phil Brown
- Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Courtney C Carignan
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Courtney Cooper
- Program On Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 490 Illinois Street, Floor 10, Box 0132, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Carl F Cranor
- Department of Philosophy, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
- Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Miriam L Diamond
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Dale Hattis
- The George Perkins Marsh Institute, Clark University, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Russ Hauser
- Department of Environmental Health, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wendy Heiger-Bernays
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Juleen Lam
- Department of Public Health, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan I Levy
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Rachel Morello-Frosch
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Keeve E Nachman
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins Risk Sciences and Public Policy Institute, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Greylin H Nielsen
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Catherine Oksas
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Dimitri Panagopoulos Abrahamsson
- Program On Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 490 Illinois Street, Floor 10, Box 0132, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Heather B Patisaul
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | | | - Joshua F Robinson
- Program On Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 490 Illinois Street, Floor 10, Box 0132, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Sheela Sathyanarayana
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ted Schettler
- Science and Environmental Health Network, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Rachel M Shaffer
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, USA
| | - Bhavna Shamasunder
- Department of Urban & Environmental Policy and Public Health, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Kristin Shrader-Frechette
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
- Department of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Gina M Solomon
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Public Health Institute, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Wilma A Subra
- Louisiana Environmental Action Network, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Laura N Vandenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Julia R Varshavsky
- Department of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Roberta F White
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ken Zarker
- Washington State Department of Ecology, Olympia, WA, USA
| | - Lauren Zeise
- Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency, Oakland, CA, USA
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18
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Chiarello DI, Ustáriz J, Marín R, Carrasco-Wong I, Farías M, Giordano A, Gallardo FS, Illanes SE, Gutiérrez J. Cellular mechanisms linking to outdoor and indoor air pollution damage during pregnancy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1084986. [PMID: 36875486 PMCID: PMC9974835 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1084986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancies are a critical window period for environmental influences over the mother and the offspring. There is a growing body of evidence associating indoor and outdoor air pollution exposure to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Particulate matter (PM) could trigger oxi-inflammation and could also reach the placenta leading to placental damage with fetal consequences. The combination of strategies such as risk assessment, advise about risks of environmental exposures to pregnant women, together with nutritional strategies and digital solutions to monitor air quality can be effective in mitigating the effects of air pollution during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia I. Chiarello
- Cellular Signaling and Differentiation Laboratory (CSDL), School of Medical Technology, Faculty of Medicine and Science, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
- *Correspondence: Delia I. Chiarello, ; Jaime Gutiérrez,
| | - Javier Ustáriz
- Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Reinaldo Marín
- Center for Biophysics and Biochemistry (CBB), Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC), Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Ivo Carrasco-Wong
- Cellular Signaling and Differentiation Laboratory (CSDL), School of Medical Technology, Faculty of Medicine and Science, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marcelo Farías
- Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ady Giordano
- Inorganic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry and of Pharmacy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Felipe S. Gallardo
- Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sebastián E. Illanes
- Reproductive Biology Program, Center for Biomedical Research and Innovation (CiiB), Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile
- IMPACT, Center of Interventional Medicine for Precision and Advanced Cellular Therapy, Santiago, Chile
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jaime Gutiérrez
- Cellular Signaling and Differentiation Laboratory (CSDL), School of Medical Technology, Faculty of Medicine and Science, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
- *Correspondence: Delia I. Chiarello, ; Jaime Gutiérrez,
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19
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The impact of prolonged landscape fire smoke exposure on women with asthma in Australia. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:919. [PMID: 36482359 PMCID: PMC9733231 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-05231-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the physical and mental health impact of exposure to landscape fire smoke in women with asthma. This study examined the health impacts and information-seeking behaviours of women with asthma exposed to the 2019/2020 Australian fires, including women who were pregnant. METHODS Women with asthma were recruited from the Breathing for Life Trial in Australia. Following the landscape fire exposure period, self-reported data were collected regarding symptoms (respiratory and non-respiratory), asthma exacerbations, wellbeing, quality of life, information seeking, and landscape fire smoke exposure mitigation strategies. Participants' primary residential location and fixed site monitoring was used to geolocate and estimate exposure to landscape fire-related fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5). RESULTS The survey was completed by 81 pregnant, 70 breastfeeding and 232 non-pregnant and non-breastfeeding women with asthma. Participants had a median daily average of 17 μg/m3 PM2.5 and 105 μg/m3 peak PM2.5 exposure over the fire period (October 2019 to February 2020). Over 80% of participants reported non-respiratory and respiratory symptoms during the fire period and 41% reported persistent symptoms. Over 82% reported asthma symptoms and exacerbations of asthma during the fire period. Half the participants sought advice from a health professional for their symptoms. Most (97%) kept windows/doors shut when inside and 94% stayed indoors to minimise exposure to landscape fire smoke. Over two in five (43%) participants reported that their capacity to participate in usual activities was reduced due to prolonged smoke exposure during the fire period. Participants reported greater anxiety during the fire period than after the fire period (mean (SD) = 53(13) versus 39 (13); p < 0.001). Two in five (38%) pregnant participants reported having concerns about the effect of fire events on their pregnancy. CONCLUSION Prolonged landscape fire smoke exposure during the 2019/2020 Australian fire period had a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of women with asthma, including pregnant women with asthma. This was despite most women taking actions to minimise exposure to landscape fire smoke. Effective and consistent public health messaging is needed during landscape fire events to guard the health of women with asthma.
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20
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Martenies SE, Hoskovec L, Wilson A, Moore BF, Starling AP, Allshouse WB, Adgate JL, Dabelea D, Magzamen S. Using non-parametric Bayes shrinkage to assess relationships between multiple environmental and social stressors and neonatal size and body composition in the Healthy Start cohort. Environ Health 2022; 21:111. [PMID: 36401268 PMCID: PMC9675112 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00934-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both environmental and social factors have been linked to birth weight and adiposity at birth, but few studies consider the effects of exposure mixtures. Our objective was to identify which components of a mixture of neighborhood-level environmental and social exposures were driving associations with birth weight and adiposity at birth in the Healthy Start cohort. METHODS Exposures were assessed at the census tract level and included air pollution, built environment characteristics, and socioeconomic status. Prenatal exposures were assigned based on address at enrollment. Birth weight was measured at delivery and adiposity was measured using air displacement plethysmography within three days. We used non-parametric Bayes shrinkage (NPB) to identify exposures that were associated with our outcomes of interest. NPB models were compared to single-predictor linear regression. We also included generalized additive models (GAM) to assess nonlinear relationships. All regression models were adjusted for individual-level covariates, including maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, and smoking. RESULTS Results from NPB models showed most exposures were negatively associated with birth weight, though credible intervals were wide and generally contained zero. However, the NPB model identified an interaction between ozone and temperature on birth weight, and the GAM suggested potential non-linear relationships. For associations between ozone or temperature with birth weight, we observed effect modification by maternal race/ethnicity, where effects were stronger for mothers who identified as a race or ethnicity other than non-Hispanic White. No associations with adiposity at birth were observed. CONCLUSIONS NPB identified prenatal exposures to ozone and temperature as predictors of birth weight, and mothers who identify as a race or ethnicity other than non-Hispanic White might be disproportionately impacted. However, NPB models may have limited applicability when non-linear effects are present. Future work should consider a two-stage approach where NPB is used to reduce dimensionality and alternative approaches examine non-linear effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheena E Martenies
- Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 906 S Goodwin Ave, M/C 052, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
| | - Lauren Hoskovec
- Department of Statistics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Ander Wilson
- Department of Statistics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Brianna F Moore
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Anne P Starling
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD Center), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - William B Allshouse
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - John L Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Dana Dabelea
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD Center), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sheryl Magzamen
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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21
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Martenies SE, Zhang M, Corrigan AE, Kvit A, Shields T, Wheaton W, Bastain TM, Breton CV, Dabelea D, Habre R, Magzamen S, Padula AM, Him DA, Camargo CA, Cowell W, Croen LA, Deoni S, Everson TM, Hartert TV, Hipwell AE, McEvoy CT, Morello-Frosch R, O'Connor TG, Petriello M, Sathyanarayana S, Stanford JB, Woodruff TJ, Wright RJ, Kress AM. Associations between combined exposure to environmental hazards and social stressors at the neighborhood level and individual perinatal outcomes in the ECHO-wide cohort. Health Place 2022; 76:102858. [PMID: 35872389 PMCID: PMC9661655 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Limited studies examine how prenatal environmental and social exposures jointly impact perinatal health. Here we investigated relationships between a neighborhood-level combined exposure (CE) index assessed during pregnancy and perinatal outcomes, including birthweight, gestational age, and preterm birth. Across all participants, higher CE index scores were associated with small decreases in birthweight and gestational age. We also observed effect modification by race; infants born to Black pregnant people had a greater risk of preterm birth for higher CE values compared to White infants. Overall, our results suggest that neighborhood social and environmental exposures have a small but measurable joint effect on neonatal indicators of health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dana Dabelea
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lisa A Croen
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, USA
| | | | - Todd M Everson
- Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Michael Petriello
- Wayne State University, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, USA
| | | | - Joseph B Stanford
- University of Utah, Departments of Family and Preventive Medicine and Pediatrics, USA
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22
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Shang L, Yang L, Yang W, Xie G, Wang R, Sun L, Xu M, Zhang B, Li J, Yue J, Chung MC. Prenatal exposure to air pollution and the risk of macrosomia: Identifying windows of susceptibility. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 818:151775. [PMID: 34808172 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study explores the effects of prenatal exposure to air pollution on the risk of macrosomia and its window of susceptibility. We conducted a retrospective cohort study utilizing records of birth certificates for all full-term live newborns born in Xi'an city, China from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2018.Weekly- and trimester-specific exposures of PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and O3 during pregnancy were calculated by inverse distance weighting (IDW) based on their residences. Cox proportional hazard model and distributed lag models (DLMs) were performed to estimate the effects of air pollution exposure during pregnancy on macrosomia risk and its window of susceptibility. In total, 318,323 full-term newborns were identified, including 24,996 (7.8%) cases of macrosomia. An IQR increase in PM2.5 exposure (45.46 μg/m3) from the 33rd until the 37th weeks of gestation was positively associated with an elevated risk of macrosomia, with the strongest effect in the 37th weeks (HR = 1.007, 95%CI: 1.002-1.013). The window of susceptibility for NO2 exposure on macrosomia risk was in the 29th-35th gestational weeks, with the strongest effect in the 34th weeks (IQR = 21.96 μg/m3, HR = 1.006, 95%CI:1.000-1.013). For prenatal exposure to O3, 5th-24th weeks of gestation was identified as susceptible windows for elevated risk of macrosomia, with the strongest associations observed in the 15th weeks (IQR = 80.53 μg/m3, HR = 1.022, 95%CI: 1.011-1.033). However, we did not observe any associations between weekly exposure of PM10 and macrosomia. Our findings imply that the windows of susceptibility to PM2.5 and NO2 exposure on macrosomia are mainly in late pregnancy, whereas the windows of susceptibility to O3 exposure are in early and middle pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Shang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal & Child Health Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China; Shenzhen Health Development Research and Data Management Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518028, PR China
| | - Liren Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal & Child Health Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China; School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Wenfang Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal & Child Health Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China; School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China.
| | - Guilan Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal & Child Health Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China; School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Ruiqi Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal & Child Health Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China; School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Landi Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal & Child Health Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China; School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Mengmeng Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal & Child Health Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China; School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Boxing Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal & Child Health Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China; School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal & Child Health Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Jie Yue
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal & Child Health Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Mei Chun Chung
- Division of Nutrition Epidemiology and Data Science, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, MA, Boston, United States
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Syed S, O’Sullivan TL, Phillips KP. Extreme Heat and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Scoping Review of the Epidemiological Evidence. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19042412. [PMID: 35206601 PMCID: PMC8874707 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Background: Extreme heat caused by climate change is a major public health concern, disproportionately affecting poor and racialized communities. Gestational heat exposure is a well-established teratogen in animal studies, with a growing body of literature suggesting human pregnancies are similarly at risk. Characterization of extreme heat as a pregnancy risk is problematic due to nonstandard definitions of heat waves, and variable study designs. To better focus future research in this area, we conducted a scoping review to assess the effects of extreme heat on pregnancy outcomes. Methods: A scoping review of epidemiological studies investigating gestational heat-exposure and published 2010 and 2020, was conducted with an emphasis on study design, gestational windows of sensitivity, adverse pregnancy outcomes and characterization of environmental temperatures. Results: A sample of 84 studies was identified, predominantly set in high-income countries. Preterm birth, birthweight, congenital anomalies and stillbirth were the most common pregnancy outcome variables. Studies reported race/ethnicity and/or socioeconomic variables, however these were not always emphasized in the analysis. Conclusion: Use of precise temperature data by most studies avoided pitfalls of imprecise, regional definitions of heat waves, however inconsistent study design, and exposure windows are a significant challenge to systematic evaluation of this literature. Despite the high risk of extreme heat events and limited mitigation strategies in the global south, there is a significant gap in the epidemiological literature from these regions. Greater consistency in study design and exposure windows would enhance the rigor of this field.
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24
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Liu Q, Li G, Zhang L, Liu J, Du J, Shao B, Li Z. Effects of household cooking with clean energy on the risk for hypertension among women in Beijing. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 289:133151. [PMID: 34871615 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Outdoor air pollution and indoor burning of biomass fuel can cause high blood pressure. However, little is known about the effects of cooking with clean energy on hypertension. We thus explored whether cooking with clean energy is associated with the risk for hypertension. The study used baseline data from 12,349 women from a large population-based cohort study in Beijing, China. Information on cooking habits, health status, and other characteristics was collected by questionnaire and physical examination. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and homocysteine (HCY). An index of cooking exposure was constructed. Log-binomial regression models were used to estimate the association between cooking exposure and risk for hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension was 26.7%. Any cooking exposure at all was associated with an increased risk for hypertension with an adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) of 2.27 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.01, 2.57). The risk for hypertension increased with increases in cooking frequency, time spent cooking, and the cooking index, all showing a dose-effect relationship (P < 0.001). An increased risk for hypertension was associated with both cooking using mainly electricity (aPR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.41, 2.17) and cooking using mainly natural gas (aPR: 2.30, 95% CI: 2.03, 2.60). The cooking index was positively correlated with plasma concentrations of TC, TG, LDL-C, and HCY and negatively correlated with HDL-C. Abnormal levels of all these biomarkers were associated with an increased prevalence of hypertension after adjustment for confounding factors. Cooking with clean energy, mainly cooking habit, may contribute to an increased risk for hypertension among female residents of Beijing. Abnormal metabolism of lipids or HCY may be an important mechanism involved in the development of cooking-related hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingping Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, PR China; Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, 100013, PR China.
| | - Gang Li
- Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, 100013, PR China.
| | - Le Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/ Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, 100191, PR China.
| | - Jufen Liu
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/ Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, 100191, PR China.
| | - Jing Du
- Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, 100013, PR China.
| | - Bing Shao
- Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, 100013, PR China.
| | - Zhiwen Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, PR China; Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/ Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, 100191, PR China.
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25
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Leung M, Weisskopf MG, Laden F, Coull BA, Modest AM, Hacker MR, Wylie BJ, Wei Y, Schwartz J, Papatheodorou S. Exposure to PM2.5 during Pregnancy and Fetal Growth in Eastern Massachusetts, USA. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:17004. [PMID: 34989624 PMCID: PMC8734565 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior studies have examined the association between fine particulate matter [PM ≤2.5μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5)] and fetal growth with either limited spatial or temporal resolution. OBJECTIVES In this study, we examined the association between PM2.5 exposure during pregnancy and fetal growth measures (ultrasound parameters and birth weight) in a pregnancy cohort using spatiotemporally resolved PM2.5 in Eastern Massachusetts, USA. METHODS We used ultrasound measures of biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference, femur length, and abdominal circumference (AC), in addition to birth weight, from 9,446 pregnancies that were delivered at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center from 2011-2016. We used linear mixed-effects models to examine the associations of PM2.5 in two exposure windows (the first 16 wk of pregnancy and the cumulative exposure up until the assessment of fetal growth) with anatomic scans (ultrasound measures at<24 wk), growth scans (ultrasound measures at≥24wk), and birth weight. All models were adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, long-term trends, and temperature. RESULTS Higher PM2.5 exposure in the first 16 wk was associated with smaller fetal growth measures, where associations were particularly strong for BPD, AC, and birth weight. For example, a 5-μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with a lower mean BPD z-score of -0.19 (95% CI: -0.31, -0.06) before 24 wk, a lower mean AC z-score of -0.15 (95% CI: -0.28, -0.01) after 24 wk, and a lower mean birth weight z-score of -0.11 (95% CI: -0.20, -0.01). Analyses examining the associations with cumulative PM2.5 exposure up until the assessment of fetal growth produced attenuated associations. CONCLUSIONS Higher gestational exposure to PM2.5 was associated with smaller fetal growth measures at levels below the current national standards. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9824.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Leung
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marc G. Weisskopf
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Francine Laden
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brent A. Coull
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna M. Modest
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michele R. Hacker
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Blair J. Wylie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yaguang Wei
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stefania Papatheodorou
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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26
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Bastain TM, Chavez T, Habre R, Hernandez-Castro I, Grubbs B, Toledo-Corral CM, Farzan SF, Lurvey N, Lerner D, Eckel SP, Lurmann F, Lagomasino I, Breton C. Prenatal ambient air pollution and maternal depression at 12 months postpartum in the MADRES pregnancy cohort. Environ Health 2021; 20:121. [PMID: 34838014 PMCID: PMC8626870 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00807-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is the leading cause of mental health-related morbidity and affects twice as many women as men. Hispanic/Latina women in the US have unique risk factors for depression and they have lower utilization of mental health care services. Identifying modifiable risk factors for maternal depression, such as ambient air pollution, is an urgent public health priority. We aimed to determine whether prenatal exposure to ambient air pollutants was associated with maternal depression at 12 months after childbirth. METHODS One hundred eighty predominantly low-income Hispanic/Latina women participating in the ongoing MADRES cohort study in Los Angeles, CA were followed from early pregnancy through 12 months postpartum through a series of phone questionnaires and in-person study visits. Daily prenatal ambient pollutant estimates of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) were assigned to participant residences using inverse-distance squared spatial interpolation from ambient monitoring data. Exposures were averaged for each trimester and across pregnancy. The primary outcome measure was maternal depression at 12 months postpartum, as reported on the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale. We classified each participant as depressed (n = 29) or not depressed (n = 151) based on the suggested cutoff of 16 or above (possible scores range from 0 to 60) and fitted logistic regression models, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS We found over a two-fold increased odds of depression at 12 months postpartum associated with second trimester NO2 exposure (OR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.41-4.89) and pregnancy average NO2 (OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.13-3.69). Higher second trimester PM2.5 exposure also was associated with increased depression at 12 months postpartum (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.01-2.42). The effect for second trimester PM10 was similar and was borderline significant (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 0.97-2.56). CONCLUSIONS In a low-income cohort consisting of primarily Hispanic/Latina women in urban Los Angeles, we found that prenatal ambient air pollution, especially mid-pregnancy NO2 and PM2.5, increased the risk of depression at 12 months after childbirth. These results underscore the need to better understand the contribution of modifiable environmental risk factors during potentially critical exposure periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa M. Bastain
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street, M/C 9237, Los Angeles, CA 90032 USA
| | - Thomas Chavez
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street, M/C 9237, Los Angeles, CA 90032 USA
| | - Rima Habre
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street, M/C 9237, Los Angeles, CA 90032 USA
| | - Ixel Hernandez-Castro
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street, M/C 9237, Los Angeles, CA 90032 USA
| | - Brendan Grubbs
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Claudia M. Toledo-Corral
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street, M/C 9237, Los Angeles, CA 90032 USA
- Department of Health Sciences, California State University, Northridge, USA
| | - Shohreh F. Farzan
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street, M/C 9237, Los Angeles, CA 90032 USA
| | | | | | - Sandrah P. Eckel
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street, M/C 9237, Los Angeles, CA 90032 USA
| | | | - Isabel Lagomasino
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Carrie Breton
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street, M/C 9237, Los Angeles, CA 90032 USA
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27
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Goin DE, Sudat S, Riddell C, Morello-Frosch R, Apte JS, Glymour MM, Karasek D, Casey JA. Hyperlocalized Measures of Air Pollution and Preeclampsia in Oakland, California. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:14710-14719. [PMID: 34648281 PMCID: PMC8968652 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c02151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2), black carbon (BC), and ultrafine particles (UFPs) during pregnancy may increase the risk of preeclampsia, but previous studies have not assessed hyperlocalized differences in pollutant levels, which may cause exposure misclassification. We used data from Google Street View cars with mobile air monitors that repeatedly sampled NO2, BC, and UFPs every 30 m in Downtown and West Oakland neighborhoods during 2015-2017. Data were linked to electronic health records of pregnant women in the 2014-2016 Sutter Health population, who resided within 120 m of monitoring data (N = 1095), to identify preeclampsia cases. We used G-computation with log-binomial regression to estimate risk differences (RDs) associated with a hypothetical intervention reducing pollutant levels to the 25th percentile observed in our sample on preeclampsia risk, overall and stratified by race/ethnicity. Prevalence of preeclampsia was 6.8%. Median (interquartile range) levels of NO2, BC, and UFPs were 10.8 ppb (9.0, 13.0), 0.34 μg/m3 (0.27, 0.42), and 29.2 # × 103/cm3 (26.6, 32.6), respectively. Changes in the risk of preeclampsia achievable by limiting each pollutant to the 25th percentile were NO2 RD = -1.5 per 100 women (95% confidence interval (CI): -2.5, -0.5); BC RD = -1.0 (95% CI: -2.2, 0.02); and UFP RD = -0.5 (95% CI: -1.8, 0.7). Estimated effects were the largest for non-Latina Black mothers: NO2 RD = -2.8 (95% CI: -5.2, -0.3) and BC RD = -3.0 (95% CI: -6.4, 0.4).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana E. Goin
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94158, United States of America
| | - Sylvia Sudat
- Research, Development and Dissemination, Sutter Health, Walnut Creek, California, 94596, United States of America
| | - Corinne Riddell
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, 94720, United States of America
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, 94720, United States of America
| | - Rachel Morello-Frosch
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management & School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, 94720, United States of America
| | - Joshua S. Apte
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering & School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, 94720, United States of America
| | - M. Maria Glymour
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94158, United States of America
| | - Deborah Karasek
- Preterm Birth Initiative, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94158, United States of America
| | - Joan A. Casey
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, 10032, United States of America
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Giudice LC, Llamas-Clark EF, DeNicola N, Pandipati S, Zlatnik MG, Decena DCD, Woodruff TJ, Conry JA. Climate change, women's health, and the role of obstetricians and gynecologists in leadership. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2021; 155:345-356. [PMID: 34694628 PMCID: PMC9298078 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.13958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Climate change is one of the major global health threats to the world's population. It is brought on by global warming due in large part to increasing levels of greenhouse gases resulting from human activity, including burning fossil fuels (carbon dioxide), animal husbandry (methane from manure), industry emissions (ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide), vehicle/factory exhaust, and chlorofluorocarbon aerosols that trap extra heat in the earth's atmosphere. Resulting extremes of weather give rise to wildfires, air pollution, changes in ecology, and floods. These in turn result in displacement of populations, family disruption, violence, and major impacts on water quality and availability, food security, public health and economic infrastructures, and limited abilities for civil society to maintain citizen safety. Climate change also has direct impacts on human health and well-being. Particularly vulnerable populations are affected, including women, pregnant women, children, the disabled, and the elderly, who comprise the majority of the poor globally. Additionally, the effects of climate change disproportionally affect disadvantaged communities, including low income and communities of color, and lower-income countries that are at highest risk of adverse impacts when disasters occur due to inequitable distribution of resources and their socioeconomic status. The climate crisis is tilting the risk balance unfavorably for women's sexual and reproductive health and rights as well as newborn and child health. Obstetrician/gynecologists have the unique opportunity to raise awareness, educate, and advocate for mitigation strategies to reverse climate change affecting our patients and their families. This article puts climate change in the context of women's reproductive health as a public health issue, a social justice issue, a human rights issue, an economic issue, a political issue, and a gender issue that needs our attention now for the health and well-being of this and future generations. FIGO joins a broad coalition of international researchers and the medical community in stating that the current climate crisis presents an imminent health risk to pregnant people, developing fetuses, and reproductive health, and recognizing that we need society-wide solutions, government policies, and global cooperation to address and reduce contributors, including fossil fuel production, to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda C Giudice
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Erlidia F Llamas-Clark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Ultrasound, University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines
| | - Nathaniel DeNicola
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Johns Hopkins Health System, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Santosh Pandipati
- Obstetrix Medical Group/Mednax (Maternal-Fetal Medicine), Campbell, California, USA
| | - Marya G Zlatnik
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Environmental Research and Translation for Health (EaRTH) Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Ditas Cristina D Decena
- Departments of Anatomy, Clinical Epidemiology and Public Health International, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
| | - Tracey J Woodruff
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Environmental Research and Translation for Health (EaRTH) Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Thabethe NDL, Voyi K, Wichmann J. Association between ambient air pollution and cause-specific mortality in Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg, South Africa: any susceptible groups? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:42868-42876. [PMID: 33825108 PMCID: PMC8354869 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-13778-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Studies have confirmed that adverse human health effects that are associated with exposure to air pollution may differ depending on other factors such as age, gender, environmental conditions, and socio-economic factors. This study was conducted to assess the association between ambient air pollution and cause-specific mortality in the three big cities in South Africa and to determine the susceptible groups thereof. Cause-specific mortality data for all ages and PM10, NO2, and SO2 in Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg for the period from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2010 were obtained. Statistical analyses were done to estimate the associations between air pollutants and cause-specific mortality. Susceptibility was therefore investigated in stratified analyses by sex and age (≥60 years) and environmental conditions (heat and cold) followed by models with interaction terms. Our estimates showed independent associations between these air pollutants, environmental conditions, and susceptible groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nomsa Duduzile Lina Thabethe
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, 28 Pioneer Street, Florida, 1709, South Africa.
| | - Kuku Voyi
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Pretoria, P.O. Box 667, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Janine Wichmann
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Pretoria, P.O. Box 667, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
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Trushna T, Tripathi AK, Rana S, Tiwari RR. Nutraceuticals with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties as intervention for reducing the health effects of fine particulate matter: Potential and Prospects. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2021; 25:1639-1660. [PMID: 33845731 DOI: 10.2174/1386207324666210412121226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Air pollution, especially particulate matter pollution adversely affects human health. A growing pool of evidence has emerged which underscores the potential of individual-level nutritional interventions in attenuating the adverse health impact of exposure to PM2.5. Although controlling emission and reducing the overall levels of air pollution remains the ultimate objective globally, the sustainable achievement of such a target and thus consequent protection of human health will require a substantial amount of time and concerted efforts worldwide. In the meantime, smaller-scale individual-level interventions that can counter the inflammatory or oxidative stress effects triggered by exposure to particulate matter may be utilized to ameliorate the health effects of PM2.5 pollution. One such intervention is incorporation of nutraceuticals in the diet. Here, we present a review of the evidence generated from various in vitro, in vivo and human studies regarding the effects of different anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutraceuticals in ameliorating the health effects of particulate matter air pollution. The studies discussed in this review suggest that these nutraceuticals when consumed as a part of the diet, or as additional supplementation, can potentially negate the cellular level adverse effects of exposure to particulate pollution. The potential benefits of adopting a non-pharmacological diet-based approach to air pollution-induced disease management have also been discussed. We argue that before a nutraceuticals-based approach can be used for widespread public adoption, further research, especially human clinical trials, is essential to confirm the beneficial action of relevant nutraceuticals and to explore the safe limits of human supplementation and the risk of side effects. Future research should focus on systematically translating bench-based knowledge regarding nutraceuticals gained from in-vitro and in-vivo studies into clinically usable nutritional guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanwi Trushna
- Department of Environmental Health and Epidemiology, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, Bhopal- 462030. India
| | - Amit K Tripathi
- Department of Molecular Biology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, Bhopal- 462030. India
| | - Sindhuprava Rana
- Department of Bioinformatics, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, Bhopal- 462030. India
| | - Rajnarayan R Tiwari
- ICMR- National Institute for Research in Environmental Health (NIREH), Bhopal-462030, Madhya Pradesh. India
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Padula AM, Ma C, Huang H, Morello-Frosch R, Woodruff TJ, Carmichael SL. Drinking water contaminants in California and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. Environ Epidemiol 2021; 5:e149. [PMID: 33870020 PMCID: PMC8043732 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental pollutants have been associated with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy including gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia, though few have focused on drinking water contamination. Water pollution can be an important source of exposures that may contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes. METHODS We linked water quality data on 13 contaminants and two violations from the California Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool to birth records from vital statistics and hospital discharge records (2007-2012) to examine the relationship between drinking water contamination and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. We examined contaminants in single- and multipollutant models. Additionally, we examined if the relationship between water contamination and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy differed by neighborhood poverty, individual socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity. RESULTS Arsenic, nitrate, trihalomethane, hexavalent chromium, and uranium were detected in a majority of water systems. Increased risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy was modestly associated with exposure to cadmium, lead, trihalomethane, and hexavalent chromium in drinking water after adjusting for covariates in single pollutant models with odds ratios ranging from 1.01 to 1.08. In multipollutant models, cadmium was consistent, lead and trihalomethane were stronger, and additional contaminants were associated with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy including trichloroethylene, 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane, nitrate, and tetrachloroethylene. Other contaminants either showed null results or modest inverse associations. The relationship between water contaminants and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy did not differ by neighborhood poverty. CONCLUSIONS We found increased risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy associated with exposure to several contaminants in drinking water in California. Results for cadmium, lead, trihalomethane, and hexavalent chromium were robust in multipollutant models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy M. Padula
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Chen Ma
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Hongtai Huang
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Rachel Morello-Frosch
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management & School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Tracey J. Woodruff
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Suzan L. Carmichael
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management & School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
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Laine JE, Bodinier B, Robinson O, Plusquin M, Scalbert A, Keski-Rahkonen P, Robinot N, Vermeulen R, Pizzi C, Asta F, Nawrot T, Gulliver J, Chatzi L, Kogevinas M, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Sunyer J, Vrijheid M, Chadeau-Hyam M, Vineis P. Prenatal Exposure to Multiple Air Pollutants, Mediating Molecular Mechanisms, and Shifts in Birthweight. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:14502-14513. [PMID: 33124810 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c02657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Mechanisms underlying adverse birth and later in life health effects from exposure to air pollution during the prenatal period have not been not fully elucidated, especially in the context of mixtures. We assessed the effects of prenatal exposure to mixtures of air pollutants of particulate matter (PM), PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen oxides, NO2, NOx, ultrafine particles (UFP), and oxidative potential (OP) of PM2.5 on infant birthweight in four European birth cohorts and the mechanistic underpinnings through cross-omics of metabolites and inflammatory proteins. The association between mixtures of air pollutants and birthweight z-scores (standardized for gestational age) was assessed for three different mixture models, using Bayesian machine kernel regression (BKMR). We determined the direct effect for PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and mediation by cross-omic signatures (identified using sparse partial least-squares regression) using causal mediation BKMR models. There was a negative association with birthweight z-scores and exposure to mixtures of air pollutants, where up to -0.21 or approximately a 96 g decrease in birthweight, comparing the 75th percentile to the median level of exposure to the air pollutant mixture could occur. Shifts in birthweight z-scores from prenatal exposure to PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 were mediated by molecular mechanisms, represented by cross-omics scores. Interleukin-17 and epidermal growth factor were identified as important inflammatory responses underlyingair pollution-associated shifts in birthweight. Our results signify that by identifying mechanisms through which mixtures of air pollutants operate, the causality of air pollution-associated shifts in birthweight is better supported, substantiating the need for reducing exposure in vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica E Laine
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BU, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara Bodinier
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BU, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Robinson
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BU, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Center for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Augustin Scalbert
- Nutrition and Metabolism Section, Biomarkers Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Lyon 69372, France
| | - Pekka Keski-Rahkonen
- Nutrition and Metabolism Section, Biomarkers Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Lyon 69372, France
| | - Nivonirina Robinot
- Nutrition and Metabolism Section, Biomarkers Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Lyon 69372, France
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Environmental Epidemiology Division, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CS, Netherlands
| | - Costanza Pizzi
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin and CPO-Piemonte, Turin 10126, Italy
| | - Federica Asta
- Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Roma 1, Rome 00147, Italy
| | - Tim Nawrot
- Center for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
- Department of Public Health, Environment and Health Unit, Leuven University (KU Leuven), Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - John Gulliver
- Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability & School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom
| | - Leda Chatzi
- Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion 700 13, Crete, Greece
| | - Manolis Kogevinas
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona 08003, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid 28029, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08002, Spain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | | | - Jordi Sunyer
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona 08003, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid 28029, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08002, Spain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Martine Vrijheid
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona 08003, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid 28029, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08002, Spain
| | - Marc Chadeau-Hyam
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BU, United Kingdom
| | - Paolo Vineis
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BU, United Kingdom
- Italian Institute of Technology, Genova 16163, Italy
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Maternal Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution and Risk of Preeclampsia: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Scania, Sweden. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17051744. [PMID: 32155988 PMCID: PMC7084298 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17051744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of developing preeclampsia (PE) associated with gestational exposure to ambient air pollutants in southern Sweden, a low-exposure area. We used a cohort of 43,688 singleton pregnancies and monthly mean exposure levels of black carbon (BC), local and total particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and NOX at the maternal residential address estimated by Gaussian dispersion modeling from 2000 to 2009. Analyses were conducted using binary logistic regression. A subtype analysis for small-for-gestational age (SGA) was performed. All analyses were adjusted for obstetrical risk factors and socioeconomic predictors. There were 1286 (2.9%) PE cases in the analysis. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 1.35 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.11–1.63 was found when comparing the lowest quartile of BC exposure to the highest quartile in the third trimester The AOR for PE associated with each 5 µg/m3 increase in locally emitted PM2.5 was 2.74 (95% CI: 1.68, 4.47) in the entire pregnancy. Similar patterns were observed for each 5 µg/m3 increment in locally emitted PM10. In pregnancies complicated by PE with SGA, the corresponding AOR for linear increases in BC was 3.48 (95% CI: 1.67, 7.27). In this low-level setting, maternal exposure to ambient air pollution during gestation was associated with the risk of developing PE. The associations seemed more pronounced in pregnancies with SGA complications, a finding that should be investigated further.
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Song L, Smith GS, Adar SD, Post WS, Guallar E, Navas-Acien A, Kaufman JD, Jones MR. Ambient air pollution as a mediator in the pathway linking race/ethnicity to blood pressure elevation: The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis (MESA). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 180:108776. [PMID: 31639655 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Racial/ethnic disparities in blood pressure and hypertension have been evident in previous studies, as were associations between race/ethnicity with ambient air pollution and those between air pollution with hypertension. The role of air pollution exposure to racial/ethnic differences in hypertension has not been explored. OBJECTIVE To assess the potential mediating effects of ambient air pollution on the association between race/ethnicity and blood pressure levels. METHODS We studied 6,463 White, Black, Hispanic and Chinese adults enrolled across 6 US cities. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured at Exam 1 (2000-2002) and Exam 2 (2002-2004). Household-level annual average concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), oxides of nitrogen (NOX), and ozone (O3) for the year 2000 were estimated for participants. RESULTS The difference in SBP levels by race/ethnicity that was related to higher PM2.5 concentrations compared with White men ("indirect associations") was 0.3 (95% CI: 0.1, 0.6) mmHg for Black men, 0.3 (95% CI: 0.1, 0.6) mmHg for Hispanic men and 1.0 (95% CI: 0.2, 1.8) mmHg for Chinese men. Findings were similar although not statistically significant for women. PM2.5 did not mediate racial/ethnic differences in DBP. Indirect associations were significant for O3 for SBP among women and men and for DBP among men. In contrast, racial/ethnic disparities were attenuated due to exposure to NOX. CONCLUSION Racial disparities in blood pressure were reduced after accounting for PM2.5 and ozone while increased after accounting for NOX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanxin Song
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Genee S Smith
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sara D Adar
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Wendy S Post
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eliseo Guallar
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ana Navas-Acien
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joel D Kaufman
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Miranda R Jones
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Connecting Air Pollution Exposure to Socioeconomic Status: A Cross-Sectional Study on Environmental Injustice among Pregnant Women in Scania, Sweden. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16245116. [PMID: 31847380 PMCID: PMC6949975 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16245116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Environmental injustice, characterized by lower socioeconomic status (SES) persons being subjected to higher air pollution concentrations, was explored among pregnant women in Scania, Sweden. Understanding if the general reduction of air pollution recorded is enjoyed by all SES groups could illuminate existing inequalities and inform policy development. "Maternal Air Pollution in Southern Sweden", an epidemiological database, contains data for 48,777 pregnancies in Scanian hospital catchment areas and includes births from 1999-2009. SES predictors considered included education level, household disposable income, and birth country. A Gaussian dispersion model was used to model women's average NOX and PM2.5 exposure at home residence over the pregnancy period. Total concentrations were dichotomized into emission levels below/above respective Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Air objectives. The data were analyzed using binary logistic regression. A sensitivity analysis facilitated the investigation of associations' variation over time. Lower-SES women born outside Sweden were disproportionately exposed to higher pollutant concentrations. Odds of exposure to NOX above Swedish EPA objectives reduced over time, especially for low-SES persons. Environmental injustice exists in Scania, but it lessened with declining overall air pollution levels, implying that continued air quality improvement could help protect vulnerable populations and further reduce environmental inequalities.
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Abstract
Background: Air pollution in Kazakhstan is caused by many factors and poses serious threats to public health. Ambient air in the cities of Kazakhstan is polluted due to mining and processing of mineral resources, oil and gas production, gasoline and diesel fuel motor vehicles, industrial enterprises. Objective: The study aim is to assess the air pollution degree in most significant settlements of Kazakhstan and define risk levels for the population health. Ambient air monitoring was conducted in 26 cities. Air pollution severity was assessed by the analysis results and processing of air samples taken at the stationary observation posts. Health risk assessment due to chemical factors was calculated according to the approved risk assessment methodology. Findings: There is high risk of acute adverse effects risk from suspended particles, oxides and dioxides of nitrogen and sulfur in almost all of the studied cities. The most unfavorable situation is in Ust-Kamenogorsk. Also, there is the adverse chronic effects risk caused by suspended particles exposure in majority of the studied cities. Extremely high chronic effects risk as a result of heavy metals exposure was detected in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Shymkent, Almaty, Taraz and Balkhash. Unacceptable carcinogenic risk levels have been determined for professional groups and the whole population with respect to cadmium in Shymkent, Almaty, Balkhash; arsenic in Shymkent, Almaty, Balkhash; lead in Taraz; chromium – in Shymkent, Aktobe, Almaty and Balkhash. Thus, the values of the hazard quotients and indices for acute and chronic exposure in most of the studied cities of Kazakhstan exceed the permissible level equal to 1.0. Conclusion: Due to the unacceptable risk levels in the cities it is strongly recommended to conduct a detailed study of the health status of the population depending on the air pollution.
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Koman PD, Singla V, Lam J, Woodruff TJ. Population susceptibility: A vital consideration in chemical risk evaluation under the Lautenberg Toxic Substances Control Act. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000372. [PMID: 31465433 PMCID: PMC6715167 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The 2016 Frank Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (Lautenberg TSCA) amended the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to mandate protection of susceptible and highly exposed populations. Program implementation entails a myriad of choices that can lead to different degrees of public health protections. Well-documented exposures to multiple industrial chemicals occur from air, soil, water, food, and products in our workplaces, schools, and homes. Many hazardous chemicals are associated with or known to cause health risks; for other industrial chemicals, no data exist to confirm their safety because of flaws in 1976 TSCA. Under the 2016 Lautenberg amendments, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must evaluate chemicals against risk-based safety standards under enforceable deadlines, with an explicit mandate to identify and assess risks to susceptible and highly exposed populations. Effective public health protection requires EPA to implement the Lautenberg TSCA requirements by incorporating intrinsic and extrinsic factors that affect susceptibility, adequately assessing exposure among vulnerable groups, and accurately identifying highly exposed groups. We recommend key scientific and risk assessment principles to inform health-protective chemical policy such as consideration of aggregate exposures from all pathways and, when data are lacking, the use of health-protective defaults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia D. Koman
- Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Veena Singla
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Juleen Lam
- Department of Health Sciences, California State University East Bay, Hayward, California, United States of America
| | - Tracey J. Woodruff
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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Koman PD, Billmire M, Baker KR, de Majo R, Anderson FJ, Hoshiko S, Thelen BJ, French NH. Mapping Modeled Exposure of Wildland Fire Smoke for Human Health Studies in California. ATMOSPHERE 2019; 10:308. [PMID: 31803514 PMCID: PMC6892473 DOI: 10.3390/atmos10060308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Wildland fire smoke exposure affects a broad proportion of the U.S. population and is increasing due to climate change, settlement patterns and fire seclusion. Significant public health questions surrounding its effects remain, including the impact on cardiovascular disease and maternal health. Using atmospheric chemical transport modeling, we examined general air quality with and without wildland fire smoke PM2.5. The 24-h average concentration of PM2.5 from all sources in 12-km gridded output from all sources in California (2007-2013) was 4.91 μg/m3. The average concentration of fire-PM2.5 in California by year was 1.22 μg/m3 (~25% of total PM2.5). The fire-PM2.5 daily mean was estimated at 4.40 μg/m3 in a high fire year (2008). Based on the model-derived fire-PM2.5 data, 97.4% of California's population lived in a county that experienced at least one episode of high smoke exposure ("smokewave") from 2007-2013. Photochemical model predictions of wildfire impacts on daily average PM2.5 carbon (organic and elemental) compared to rural monitors in California compared well for most years but tended to over-estimate wildfire impacts for 2008 (2.0 μg/m3 bias) and 2013 (1.6 μg/m3 bias) while underestimating for 2009 (-2.1 μg/m3 bias). The modeling system isolated wildfire and PM2.5 from other sources at monitored and unmonitored locations, which is important for understanding population exposure in health studies. Further work is needed to refine model predictions of wildland fire impacts on air quality in order to increase confidence in the model for future assessments. Atmospheric modeling can be a useful tool to assess broad geographic scale exposure for epidemiologic studies and to examine scenario-based health impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia D. Koman
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Michael Billmire
- Michigan Tech Research Institute, Michigan Technological University, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105 USA
| | - Kirk R. Baker
- Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards, Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709 USA
| | - Ricardo de Majo
- Health Behavior Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Frank J. Anderson
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sumi Hoshiko
- Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804,USA
| | - Brian J. Thelen
- Michigan Tech Research Institute, Michigan Technological University, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105 USA
| | - Nancy H.F. French
- Michigan Tech Research Institute, Michigan Technological University, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105 USA
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