Abstract
Background
Maternal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was associated with pregnancy complications. However, we still lack comprehensive evidence regarding which specific chemical components of PM2.5 are more harmful for maternal and foetal health.
Objective
We focused on exposure over the first trimester (0–13 weeks of gestation), which includes the early placentation period, and investigated whether PM2.5 and its components were associated with placenta-mediated pregnancy complications (combined outcome of small for gestational age, preeclampsia, placental abruption, and stillbirth).
Methods
From 2013 to 2015, we obtained information, from the Japan Perinatal Registry Network database, on 83,454 women who delivered singleton infants within 23 Tokyo wards (≈627 km2). Using daily filter sampling of PM2.5 at one monitoring location, we analysed carbon and ion components, and assigned the first trimester average of the respective pollutant concentrations to each woman.
Results
The ORs of placenta-mediated pregnancy complications were 1.14 (95% CI = 1.08–1.22) per 0.51 μg/m3 (interquartile range) increase of organic carbon and 1.11 (1.03–1.18) per 0.06 μg/m3 increase of sodium. Organic carbon was also associated with four individual complications. There was no association between ozone and outcome.
Significance
There were specific components of PM2.5 that have adverse effects on maternal and foetal health.
Organic and Elemental Carbon in Atmospheric Fine Particulate Matter in an Animal Agriculture Intensive Area in North Carolina: Estimation of Secondary Organic Carbon Concentrations
