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Herr CEW, Dostal M, Ghosh R, Ashwood P, Lipsett M, Pinkerton KE, Sram R, Hertz-Picciotto I. Air pollution exposure during critical time periods in gestation and alterations in cord blood lymphocyte distribution: a cohort of livebirths. Environ Health 2010; 9:46. [PMID: 20678227 PMCID: PMC2927516 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-9-46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2010] [Accepted: 08/02/2010] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxic exposures have been shown to influence maturation of the immune system during gestation. This study investigates the association between cord blood lymphocyte proportions and maternal exposure to air pollution during each gestational month. METHODS Cord blood was analyzed using a FACSort flow cytometer to determine proportions of T lymphocytes (CD3+ cells and their subsets, CD4+ and CD8+), B lymphocytes (CD19+) and natural killer (NK) cells. Ambient air concentrations of 12 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and particulate matter < 2.5 micrometer in diameter (PM2.5) were measured using fixed site monitors. Arithmetic means of these pollutants, calculated for each gestational month, were used as exposure metrics. Data on covariates were obtained from medical records and questionnaires. Multivariable linear regression models were fitted to estimate associations between monthly PAH or PM2.5 and cord blood lymphocytes, adjusting for year of birth and district of residence and, in further models, gestational season and number of prior live births. RESULTS The adjusted models show significant associations between PAHs or PM2.5 during early gestation and increases in CD3+ and CD4+ lymphocytes percentages and decreases in CD19+ and NK cell percentages in cord blood. In contrast, exposures during late gestation were associated with decreases in CD3+ and CD4+ fractions and increases in CD19+ and NK cell fractions. There was no significant association between alterations in lymphocyte distribution and air pollution exposure during the mid gestation. CONCLUSIONS PAHs and PM2.5 in ambient air may influence fetal immune development via shifts in cord blood lymphocytes distributions. Associations appear to differ by exposure in early versus late gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline EW Herr
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California; Davis, USA
- Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, University of Giessen; Germany
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleissheim; Germany
| | - Miroslav Dostal
- Department of Genetic Ecotoxicology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, AS CR Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Rakesh Ghosh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California; Davis, USA
| | - Paul Ashwood
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California; Davis, CA, USA
| | - Michael Lipsett
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California; San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kent E Pinkerton
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of California; Davis, CA, USA
| | - Radim Sram
- Department of Genetic Ecotoxicology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, AS CR Prague, Czech Republic
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van den Hooven EH, Jaddoe VWV, de Kluizenaar Y, Hofman A, Mackenbach JP, Steegers EAP, Miedema HME, Pierik FH. Residential traffic exposure and pregnancy-related outcomes: a prospective birth cohort study. Environ Health 2009; 8:59. [PMID: 20028508 PMCID: PMC2811104 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-8-59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2009] [Accepted: 12/22/2009] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effects of ambient air pollution on pregnancy outcomes are under debate. Previous studies have used different air pollution exposure assessment methods. The considerable traffic-related intra-urban spatial variation needs to be considered in exposure assessment. Residential proximity to traffic is a proxy for traffic-related exposures that takes into account within-city contrasts. METHODS We investigated the association between residential proximity to traffic and various birth and pregnancy outcomes in 7,339 pregnant women and their children participating in a population-based cohort study. Residential proximity to traffic was defined as 1) distance-weighted traffic density in a 150 meter radius, and 2) proximity to a major road. We estimated associations of these exposures with birth weight, and with the risks of preterm birth and small size for gestational age at birth. Additionally, we examined associations with pregnancy-induced hypertension, (pre)eclampsia, and gestational diabetes. RESULTS There was considerable variation in distance-weighted traffic density. Almost fifteen percent of the participants lived within 50 m of a major road. Residential proximity to traffic was not associated with birth and pregnancy outcomes in the main analysis and in various sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS Mothers exposed to residential traffic had no higher risk of adverse birth outcomes or pregnancy complications in this study. Future studies may be refined by taking both temporal and spatial variation in air pollution exposure into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edith H van den Hooven
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Environment and Health, Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Delft, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent WV Jaddoe
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Paediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yvonne de Kluizenaar
- Department of Environment and Health, Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Albert Hofman
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johan P Mackenbach
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric AP Steegers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henk ME Miedema
- Department of Environment and Health, Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Frank H Pierik
- Department of Environment and Health, Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Delft, The Netherlands
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Zeka A, Melly SJ, Schwartz J. The effects of socioeconomic status and indices of physical environment on reduced birth weight and preterm births in Eastern Massachusetts. Environ Health 2008; 7:60. [PMID: 19032747 PMCID: PMC2607263 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-7-60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2007] [Accepted: 11/25/2008] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Air pollution and social characteristics have been shown to affect indicators of health. While use of spatial methods to estimate exposure to air pollution has increased the power to detect effects, questions have been raised about potential for confounding by social factors. METHODS A study of singleton births in Eastern Massachusetts was conducted between 1996 and 2002 to examine the association between indicators of traffic, land use, individual and area-based socioeconomic measures (SEM), and birth outcomes (birth weight, small for gestational age and preterm births), in a two-level hierarchical model. RESULTS We found effects of both individual (education, race, prenatal care index) and area-based (median household income) SEM with all birth outcomes. The associations for traffic and land use variables were mainly seen with birth weight, with an exception for an effect of cumulative traffic density on small for gestational age. Race/ethnicity of mother was an important predictor of birth outcomes and a strong confounder for both area-based SEM and indices of physical environment. The effects of traffic and land use differed by level of education and median household income. CONCLUSION Overall, the findings of the study suggested greater likelihood of reduced birth weight and preterm births among the more socially disadvantaged, and a greater risk of reduced birth weight associated with traffic exposures. Results revealed the importance of controlling simultaneously for SEM and environmental exposures as the way to better understand determinants of health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariana Zeka
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard University, Landmark Suite 415 West, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Institute for the Environment, Brunel University West London, UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Steve J Melly
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard University, Landmark Suite 415 West, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard University, Landmark Suite 415 West, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Parker JD, Woodruff TJ. Influences of study design and location on the relationship between particulate matter air pollution and birthweight. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2008; 22:214-27. [PMID: 18426516 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3016.2008.00931.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A large number of studies have identified a relationship between particulate matter air pollution and birthweight. Although reported associations are small and varied, they have been identified in studies from places around the world. Exposure assignment, covariates and study inclusion criteria vary among studies. To examine the effect of these and other study characteristics on associations between particulate matter and birthweight, US birth records for singletons delivered at 40 weeks gestation in 2001-03 during the months of March, June, September and December were linked to quarterly estimates of pollution exposure, both particulate matter exposure and exposure to multiple pollutants, by county of residence and month of birth. Annual, 9-month and trimester-specific exposures were assigned. Among births linked to particulate matter exposure there was a small association between coarse particle exposure and birthweight (beta -13 g per 10 microg/m(3) increase [95% CI -18.3 g, -7.6 g]) after controlling for maternal factors; this association was attenuated slightly and remained statistically significant after further adjustment for contextual factors, year of birth, region, or urban-rural status. The associations were slightly weaker among births linked to multiple pollutant exposure than among births linked to just particulate matter exposure. The association varied markedly by region, ranging from a decrement of 43 g per 10 microg/m(3)[95% CI -58.6 g, -27.6 g] in the north-west to a null association in the south-west. Trimester findings were smaller, yet remained significant and varied regionally. The association between fine particle exposure and birthweight varied considerably, with an overall small positive association that became null after control for region. This study found that wide regional differences in association may contribute to the varied published findings. The association between coarse particle exposure and birthweight appeared robust, if small; fine particles had no overall association with birthweight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer D Parker
- National Center for Health Statistics, Office of Analysis and Epidemiology, National Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville, MD 20782, USA.
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Slama R, Morgenstern V, Cyrys J, Zutavern A, Herbarth O, Wichmann HE, Heinrich J. Traffic-related atmospheric pollutants levels during pregnancy and offspring's term birth weight: a study relying on a land-use regression exposure model. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2007; 115:1283-92. [PMID: 17805417 PMCID: PMC1964922 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.10047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2007] [Accepted: 05/31/2007] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some studies have suggested that particulate matter (PM) levels during pregnancy may be associated with birth weight. Road traffic is a major source of fine PM (PM with aero-dynamic diameter < 2.5 microm; PM(2.5)). OBJECTIVE We determined to characterize the influence of maternal exposure to atmospheric pollutants due to road traffic and urban activities on offspring term birth weight. METHODS Women from a birth cohort [the LISA (Influences of Lifestyle Related Factors on the Human Immune System and Development of Allergies in Children) cohort] who delivered a non-premature baby with a birth weight > 2,500 g in Munich metropolitan area were included. We assessed PM(2.5), PM(2.5) absorbance (which depends on the blackness of PM(2.5), a marker of traffic-related air pollution), and nitrogen dioxide levels using a land-use regression model, taking into account the type and length of roads, population density, land coverage around the home address, and temporal variations in pollution during pregnancy. Using Poisson regression, we estimated prevalence ratios (PR) of birth weight < 3,000 g, adjusted for gestational duration, sex, maternal smoking, height, weight, and education. RESULTS Exposure was defined for 1,016 births. Taking the lowest quartile of exposure during pregnancy as a reference, the PR of birth weight < 3,000 g associated with the highest quartile was 1.7 for PM(2.5) [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2-2.7], 1.8 for PM(2.5) absorbance (95% CI, 1.1-2.7), and 1.2 for NO(2) (95% CI, 0.7-1.7). The PR associated with an increase of 1 microg/m(3) in PM(2.5) levels was 1.13 (95% CI, 1.00-1.29). CONCLUSION Increases in PM(2.5) levels and PM(2.5) absorbance were associated with decreases in term birth weight. Traffic-related air pollutants may have adverse effects on birth weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rémy Slama
- GSF-National Research Center for Environment and Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Neuherberg, Germany.
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van den Hazel P, Zuurbier M, Babisch W, Bartonova A, Bistrup ML, Bolte G, Busby C, Butter M, Ceccatelli S, Fucic A, Hanke W, Johansson C, Kohlhuber M, Leijs M, Lundqvist C, Moshammer H, Naginiene R, Preece A, Ronchetti R, Salines G, Saunders M, Schoeters G, Stilianakis N, ten Tusscher G, Koppe JG. Today's epidemics in children: possible relations to environmental pollution and suggested preventive measures. Acta Paediatr 2006; 95:18-25. [PMID: 17000565 DOI: 10.1080/08035320600885846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Facts and hypotheses on the relationship between some children's diseases or disorders and external stressors during the developmental stage of a child, both prenatally and postnatally are described in literature. In this paper the following changes in patterns and causes of the main childhood illnesses are summarized and recommendations for actions are made. Prematurity. Intra-uterine growth restriction. Testicular dysgenesis syndrome. Type I and Type II diabetes. Asthma, atopy and hay fever. Autism. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Learning disabilities. Cancer. Obesity. Hearing problems. RESULTS Literature provides a growing amount of information on changing patterns in childhood diseases. CONCLUSIONS The following recommendations for action are formulated: Immediate research on endocrine disrupters in relation to prematurity. Diabetes: avoid Maillard Compounds in liquid baby food and in food in general: promote breastfeeding. Asthma: avoid exposure to smoking, the use of chemical household products, dioxin and dioxin-like chemicals, and avoid air pollution with high levels of particulate matter, especially around conception, during pregnancy and in the first years of life. Autism: more research on incidence and causes. ADHD and learning disabilities: more research on prevalence and causes. Preventions: 1) preconception counselling to avoid potentially harmful substances; 2) controlling and further lowering levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, lead and methyl mercury. Cancer: promote breastfeeding, carry out research into effects of foetal exposure to internal fission-product radionuclides. Obesity: stop smoking in pregnancy, avoid parental obesity, longer night sleep. Hearing problems: lower noise levels in discothèques, promote the day-evening-night level to avoid noise (longer night sleep).
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Abstract
▪ Abstract The biocultural approach of anthropologists is well suited to understand the interrelationship of urbanism and human biology. Urbanism is a social construction that has continuously changed and presented novel adaptive challenges to its residents. Urban living today involves several biological challenges, of which one is pollution. Using three different types of pollutants as examples, air pollution, lead, and noise, the impact of pollution on human biology (mortality, morbidity, reproduction, and development) can be seen. Chronic exposure to low levels of these pollutants has a small impact on the individual, but so many people are exposed to pollution that the effect species-wide is substantial. Also, disproportionate pollutant exposure by socioeconomically disadvantaged groups exacerbates risk of poor health and well being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence M. Schell
- Department of Anthropology, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany, New York, 12222
| | - Melinda Denham
- Department of Anthropology, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany, New York, 12222
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