Mary D Willis1, Elaine L Hill2, Molly L Kile1, Susan Carozza1, Perry Hystad1. 1. School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA. 2. Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, NY, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Since the 1990s, extensive regulations to reduce traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) have been implemented, yet the effectiveness of these regulations has not been assessed with respect to improving infant health. In this study, we evaluate how infant health risks associated with maternal residences near highways during pregnancy have changed over time. METHODS: We created a population-based retrospective birth cohort with geocoded residential addresses in Texan metropolitan areas from 1996 through 2009 (n = 2 259 411). We compared term birthweight (37-42 weeks of gestation) among maternal residences <300 m from a highway (high TRAP exposure) (n = 394 346) and 500-3500 m from a highway (comparison group) (n = 1 865 065). We implemented linear regressions to evaluate interactions between high TRAP exposure and birth year, adjusting for demographics, socioeconomic status and neighbourhood context. In addition, we used propensity score matching to further reduce residual confounding. RESULTS: From 1996 to 2009, outdoor NO2 decreased by 51.3%, based on regulatory monitoring data in Texas. Among pregnant women who resided in the high TRAP zone during pregnancy, interaction terms between residential location and birth year show that birthweight increased by 1.1 g [95% confidence interval CI): 0.7, 1.5) in unadjusted models and 0.3 g (95% CI: 0.0, 0.6) in matched models. Time-stratified models also show decreasing impacts of living in high TRAP areas on birthweight when comparing infants born in 1996-97 with 2008-09. Sensitivity analyses with alternative exposure and control groups show consistent results. CONCLUSIONS: Infant health risks associated with maternal residence near highways have reduced over time, paralleling regulatory measures to improve exhaust pipe emissions.
BACKGROUND: Since the 1990s, extensive regulations to reduce traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) have been implemented, yet the effectiveness of these regulations has not been assessed with respect to improving infant health. In this study, we evaluate how infant health risks associated with maternal residences near highways during pregnancy have changed over time. METHODS: We created a population-based retrospective birth cohort with geocoded residential addresses in Texan metropolitan areas from 1996 through 2009 (n = 2 259 411). We compared term birthweight (37-42 weeks of gestation) among maternal residences <300 m from a highway (high TRAP exposure) (n = 394 346) and 500-3500 m from a highway (comparison group) (n = 1 865 065). We implemented linear regressions to evaluate interactions between high TRAP exposure and birth year, adjusting for demographics, socioeconomic status and neighbourhood context. In addition, we used propensity score matching to further reduce residual confounding. RESULTS: From 1996 to 2009, outdoor NO2 decreased by 51.3%, based on regulatory monitoring data in Texas. Among pregnant women who resided in the high TRAP zone during pregnancy, interaction terms between residential location and birth year show that birthweight increased by 1.1 g [95% confidence interval CI): 0.7, 1.5) in unadjusted models and 0.3 g (95% CI: 0.0, 0.6) in matched models. Time-stratified models also show decreasing impacts of living in high TRAP areas on birthweight when comparing infants born in 1996-97 with 2008-09. Sensitivity analyses with alternative exposure and control groups show consistent results. CONCLUSIONS: Infant health risks associated with maternal residence near highways have reduced over time, paralleling regulatory measures to improve exhaust pipe emissions.
Authors: Joseph Y Abrams; Mitchel Klein; Lucas R F Henneman; Stefanie E Sarnat; Howard H Chang; Matthew J Strickland; James A Mulholland; Armistead G Russell; Paige E Tolbert Journal: Environ Int Date: 2019-03-08 Impact factor: 9.621
Authors: Ferran Ballester; Marisa Estarlich; Carmen Iñiguez; Sabrina Llop; Rosa Ramón; Ana Esplugues; Marina Lacasaña; Marisa Rebagliato Journal: Environ Health Date: 2010-01-29 Impact factor: 5.984
Authors: Rebecca B Russell; Nancy S Green; Claudia A Steiner; Susan Meikle; Jennifer L Howse; Karalee Poschman; Todd Dias; Lisa Potetz; Michael J Davidoff; Karla Damus; Joann R Petrini Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2007-07 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Esther Kai-Chieh Chen; Denis Zmirou-Navier; Cindy Padilla; Séverine Deguen Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2014-07-31 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Lucas R F Henneman; Huizhong Shen; Christian Hogrefe; Armistead G Russell; Corwin M Zigler Journal: Environ Sci Technol Date: 2021-01-05 Impact factor: 9.028
Authors: Mary D Willis; Elaine L Hill; Andrew Boslett; Molly L Kile; Susan E Carozza; Perry Hystad Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2021-07-21 Impact factor: 9.031