by A new study conducted by environmental epidemiologists at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, in collaboration with researchers from Oregon State University, Pacific Northwest National Labs, and Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, has provided detailed information on air pollution exposures using personal wristband monitors worn by pregnant individuals in New York City. The study, published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, analyzed data collected from 177 participants, focusing on 61 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 75 questionnaire variables.
PAHs, which are produced through combustion processes and can be found in sources such as automotive exhaust and tobacco smoke, have been linked to various adverse health effects, particularly concerning fetal growth and neurodevelopment. By examining such a large number of compounds and variables, this study represents the most comprehensive analysis of its kind.
During the third trimester of pregnancy, participants wore silicone wristbands for 48 hours to measure exposure to PAHs. They also completed questionnaires, providing demographic and employment information, as well as outlining potential exposure sources like cooking, smoking, and transportation.
The findings indicated that factors predictive of air pollution exposure included income, time spent outdoors, maternal age, country of birth, transportation type, and season. By understanding these variables, researchers can develop interventions aimed at reducing health risks associated with PAH exposure.
The study made significant advancements in the field, as previous research had been limited by smaller datasets or focused on specific exposure scenarios. By using a larger dataset and employing regression tree analysis, which accounts for all PAH compounds and their combined exposure, the study demonstrated improved predictability. This approach allows researchers to identify the most important and/or predictive variables for exposure to PAHs in combination with other factors.
Sarah McLarnan, the study’s first author and a Ph.D. candidate at Columbia Mailman, emphasized the usefulness of silicone wristbands for evaluating PAH exposures and associated health outcomes. The combination of questionnaire data and a 48-hour wristband deployment enabled more accurate measurements of exposure sources in terms of time and space, providing a better understanding of source characterization.
The study revealed complex interactions between demographics and behaviors that influence exposure to individual compounds in different ways. Further investigation is needed to understand the pathways through which these factors are connected to PAH exposures. For example, maternal age and income were associated with behaviors or residential characteristics that can protect against some exposure sources but have the opposite effect for specific compounds.
However, it is important to note that the wristbands used in the study cannot detect all sources of PAH exposure, particularly those caused by food. Additionally, since the wristbands were only worn for 48 hours, they may not fully reflect an individual’s average exposure over the course of pregnancy.
To reduce exposure to PAHs, it is advisable to avoid tobacco smoke, ensure good indoor ventilation, especially while cooking, reduce consumption of smoked and grilled foods, limit exposure to diesel fumes and wood smoke, use natural alternatives to mothballs for pest control, wear gloves to avoid skin contact with soot or creosote-treated lumber, and wear a mask when cutting treated lumber.
This study builds on previous research conducted by the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, which has linked prenatal exposure to PAHs with various adverse outcomes in children, including asthma, obesity, and developmental delays.
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