There are growing concerns about the impact of pollution on maternal and infant health. Despite an extensive correlational literature, observational studies which adopt methods that seek to address potential biases due to unmeasured confounders draw mixed conclusions. Using a population database of births in Northern Ireland (NI) linked to localized geographic information on pollution in mothers' postcodes (zipcodes) of residence during pregnancy, we examine whether prenatal exposure to PM 2.5 is associated with a comprehensive range of birth outcomes, including placental health. Overall, we find little evidence that particulate matter is related to infant outcomes at the pollution levels experienced in NI, once we implement a mother fixed effects approach that accounts for time-invariant factors. This contrasts with strong associations in models that adjust for observed confounders but without fixed effects. While reducing ambient air pollution remains an urgent public health priority globally, our results imply that further improvements in short-run levels of prenatal PM 2.5 exposure in a relatively low-pollution, higher-income country context, are unlikely to impact on birth outcomes at the population level.
Keyphrases
- particulate matter
- air pollution
- public health
- lung function
- pregnant women
- gestational age
- healthcare
- mental health
- health information
- heavy metals
- human health
- emergency department
- pregnancy outcomes
- type diabetes
- climate change
- cystic fibrosis
- social media
- adipose tissue
- adverse drug
- weight loss
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- metabolic syndrome
- body mass index
- health promotion
- skeletal muscle
- preterm birth
- transition metal
- drinking water