The exposure of pregnant women to air pollution can increase their risk of having low-birth-weight infants, according to a Yale study.
Researchers at the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies (F&ES) and School of Medicine found that the higher the level of exposure to nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), the greater the risk of having lower-weight infants.
The researchers investigated the exposure of pregnant women for 358,504 births from 1999 to 2002 in 15 Connecticut and Massachusetts counties.
The Yale study results imply that even low levels of air pollution can have harmful effects, the researchers say. Average concentrations for all pollutants in the study were below the Environmental Protection Agency's health-based regulatory standards, called the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Further, exposure to PM2.5, a fine particulate matter that is a component of vehicle exhaust, had a greater negative effect on infants of black mothers than on those of white mothers.
"This study indicates that some populations may face disproportionate health burdens of air pollution," says Michelle Bell, assistant professor of environmental health at F&ES and co-author of the study with Keita Ebisu and Kathleen Belanger, both of the medical school.
Other studies have linked low birth weight to a higher risk of infant and childhood mortality, coronary heart disease and other health problems.
The study, "Ambient Air Pollution and Low Birth Weight in Connecticut and Massachusetts," is accepted for publication in Environmental Health Perspectives and is available at www.ehponline.org/docs/2007/9759/abstract.html.
T H I S
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
Yale to increase medical and scientific research programs
with acquisition of the Bayer HealthCare complex
Acquisition to expand Yale's economic impact
Milestones in building Yale's medical and scientific research strength
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COMMENCEMENT 2007
With pomp, Yale celebrates its newest graduates
Baccalaureate Address
Honorary Degrees
Outstanding teachers and students are awarded prizes
Former Yale gallery director has been elected an alumni fellow
NASA administrator is appointed University's first CFO
'Lights, cameras and action!' come to campus
Delegations travel to Brazil and Mexico for alumni-hosted events
Initiative seeks to promote effective use of solar power
Air pollution is shown to harm pregnant woman
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE NEWS
Sleep apnea is linked to heart disease and diabetes
Research findings on FMRP protein may lead to . . .
Residents' work-hour reductions not harmful to patients, study says
New radio show offers information, support to cancer patients
Scientific symposium will honor renowned faculty member
Students' research on wood frogs is featured in Peabody exhibit
In Memoriam: Naturalist Charles L. Remington
Performances will showcase talents of young playwrights
New Yale website illustrates the history of slavery in Connecticut
Campus Notes
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