Exposure to airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during pregnancy and risk of preterm birth

Abstract

Background Preterm birth is an important marker of health and has a prevalence of 12-13% in the U.S. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of organic contaminants that form during the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons, such as coal, diesel and gasoline. Studies suggest that exposure to PAHs during pregnancy is related to adverse birth outcomes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between exposure to PAHs during the pregnancy and preterm birth. Methods The study population included births from years 2001-2006 of women whose maternal residence was within 20 km of the primary monitoring site in Fresno, California. Data in the Fresno area were used to form a spatio-temporal model to assign daily exposure to PAHs with 4, 5, or 6 rings at the maternal residence throughout pregnancy of all of the births in the study area. Gestational age at birth and relevant covariates were extracted from the birth certificate. Results We found an association between PAHs during the last 6 weeks of pregnancy and birth at 20-27 weeks (OR=2.74; 95% CI: 2.24-3.34) comparing the highest quartile to the lower three. The association was consistent when each quartile was compared to the lowest (OR2nd=1.49, 95% CI: 1.08-2.06; OR3rd=2.63, 95% CI:1.93-3.59; OR4th=3.94, 95% CI:3.03-5.12). Inverse associations were also observed for exposure to PAHs during the entire pregnancy and the first trimester and birth at 28-31 weeks and 20-27 weeks. Conclusion An association between PAH exposure during the 6 weeks before delivery and early preterm birth was observed. However, the inverse association with early preterm birth offers an unclear, and potentially complex, inference of these associations.

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds among recently pregnant rural Guatemalan women cooking and heating with solid fuels

“…In addition, adult exposure to PAHs and VOCs is associated with cardiovascular disease (Alshaarawy et al, 2016; Haussmann, 2012). Prenatal exposure to ambient levels of PAHs is associated with adverse birth outcomes such as neural tube defects (Ren et al, 2011), small for gestational age and preterm birth (Choi et al, 2008; Padula et al, 2014). Similarly, residential exposures to VOCs have been shown to be associated with small for gestational age in newborns (Sorensen et al, 2010).…”

The role of social determinants in explaining racial/ethnic disparities in perinatal outcomes

“…Specific exposures include fine particulate air particles, carbon monoxide, and ozone. Other studies examine the impact of residing near chemical plants, refineries, or other industries (48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54)(55)(56)(57)(58)(59). There are also studies that suggest that racial/ethnic minorities are at greater likelihood of residing in communities with higher pollution rates, based on monitoring data from the Environmental Protection Agency (57).…”

Levels of Metabolites of Phthalates, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Bisphenol A in Urine of Czech Students (Pilot Study)

“…Patří rovněž mezi endokrinní disruptory a dávají se do souvislosti pře-devším s negativním vlivem na intrauterinní vývoj plodu, neboť procházejí placentou (10). Mají vliv na gestač-ní délku, intrauterinní růst a porodní váhu (11,12).…”