Traffic-related air pollution and birth weight

Abstract

TPS 682: Long-term health effects of air pollutants 2, Exhibition Hall, Ground floor, August 27, 2019, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Background: A substantial body of evidence has associated air pollution to impaired fetal growth; however, there are still important limitations in terms of applied exposure assessment methods, disentangling role of co-exposure such as noise, and evaluating the modifiers, mediators, and mitigators of this association. Objectives: To provide a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of maternal air pollution exposure on fetal growth. Towards this aim, FRONTIER will (i) disentangle the effects of noise; (ii) identify relevant window(s) of exposure; (iii) evaluate its modification by socioeconomic status, stress, and physical activity; (iv) elucidate the mediatory role of placental function; and (v) explore the potential of greenspace to mitigate it. Methods: FRONTIER is establishing a cohort of 1000 women in Barcelona, Spain. Fetal growth is characterized by newborn anthropometric measures and ultrasound-based trajectories of fetal development. Placental function is evaluated using Doppler ultrasound indicators. Hair cortisol levels will be used as an indicator of maternal stress. Time-activity patterns are objectively characterized using smartphones and personal physical activity monitors. We will develop an innovative exposure assessment framework integrating data on time-activity patterns with a hybrid modeling framework and campaigns of personal and home-outdoor air pollution monitoring to estimate maternal exposure level and inhaled dose of NO2 and PM2.5 (mass and constitutes) at the main microenvironments for pregnant women. We assess maternal exposure to noise by integrating measurements at participants’ home-outdoor together with modeled microenvironmental levels of noise. We will separately characterize the canopy and greenness surrounding maternal residential address using high-resolution maps. We will develop single- and multi-pollutant models to evaluate the impact of air pollution on fetal growth and the mediatory role of placental function. Expected impact: FRONTIER is now in recruitment phase. It will generate vigorous evidence base for implementing finely-targeted regulations to tackle effects of air pollution on fetal growth.