L.A. Women Who Live Near Busy Roads Have Increased Risk of Premature Births
Researchers at UCLA have previously reported that increases in ambient air pollution in the Los Angeles basin increase the risk of low birth weight babies and premature births. This follow-up study examined mothers’ differential exposure to air pollutants resulting from living near roadways with heavy traffic.
Researchers examined data on low birth weight and/or preterm birth in Los Angeles County between 1994-1996. They mapped the home locations at birth, and estimated exposure to traffic-related air pollution using a measure that takes into account residential proximity to and level of traffic on roadways surrounding homes.
The study reported a 10-20 percent increase in the risk of preterm births and low birth weight in infants born to women potentially exposed to high levels of traffic-related air pollution. Women whose third trimester fell during the fall or winter, when atmospheric stability tends to limit dispersion of pollutants, experienced the greatest effects.
Willhelm, M., and Ritz, B. Residential Proximity to Traffic and Adverse Birth Outcomes in Los Angeles County, California, 1994-1996. Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 111, No. 2, pp. 207-216, February 2003.
The NIEHS offers the [ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/allpubs.html] offers the full article online.
