Fine Particulate Matter Chemical Components, Emission Source Indicators, and Term Birth Weight in New York City

Abstract

Fine Particulate Matter Chemical Components, Emission Source Indicators, and Term Birth Weight in New York CityAbstract Number:2039 Kazuhiko Ito*, Jennifer Bobb, Sarah Johnson, Jane Clougherty, Jessie Shmool, Francesca Dominici, Beth Elston, Zev Ross, Tara McAlexander, David Savitz, and Thomas Matte Kazuhiko Ito* New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Jennifer Bobb Harvard School of Public Health, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Sarah Johnson New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Jane Clougherty University of Pittsburgh, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Jessie Shmool University of Pittsburgh, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Francesca Dominici Harvard School of Public Health, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Beth Elston Brown University, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Zev Ross ZevRoss Spatial Analysis, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Tara McAlexander New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , David Savitz Brown University, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , and Thomas Matte New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author AbstractBackground: A growing number of studies have examined the associations between ambient fine particles (PM2.5) and birth weight, with mixed results to date. Emission sources of PM2.5, which determine the particles’ chemical compositions and vary geographically, may contribute to variability in these results. Aims: To determine the influence of spatial variation in key PM2.5 chemical constituents and their major emission indicators on term birth weight in New York City (NYC), where PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide were found to be associated with reduced term birth weight.Methods: Spatial variations of nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu) measured at 150 monitors from NYC Community Air Survey were modeled using land-use regression models with an array of candidate emission source spatial indicators at buffer distance selected through a stepwise approach. These models were used to estimate the exposures at maternal address for the 252,967 singleton term births to non-smokers in NYC born 2008-2010. Birth weight change for the chemical constituents and emission indicators per spatial inter-quartile-range were estimated in linear mixed models adjusting for maternal age, ethnicity, education, parity, insurance status, neighborhood socioeconomic factors, week of gestation, and calendar year, with random intercepts for census tracts.Results: Both of the estimated Ni and Cu exposures as well as their emission indicators (night-time population within 1000m and residual oil boiler counts within 1000m for Ni; traffic-density within 100m and estimated energy use from #4 residual oil within 800m for Cu) were small but statistically significant birth weight reductions, with the estimated Ni and the emission indicators for residual oil generally showing larger and more significant reductions (~6 to 9 g) than Cu and traffic density indicators (~2 to 3g).Conclusions: Emission indicators for residual oil combustion and traffic density were associated with term birth weight reductions.