Impact of Regulatory Improvements to Traffic-related Air Pollution on Infant Health: Has Policy Made a Difference?
Year: 2019
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: OPS 02: Environmental epidemiology and policy, Room 315, Floor 3, August 28, 2019, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Background: Regulations to reduce traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) cost 2.3 billion dollars to implement between 1990 and 2010, yet the cumulative effectiveness of these regulations has not been assessed with respect to infant health. Methods: We quantify how regulatory improvements of motor vehicle emissions (and resulting TRAP) impacted term birth weight between 1996 and 2009 in Texas. We hypothesize that the series of emissions regulations implemented between 1996 and 2009 yielded improved infant health outcomes among mothers who reside near a major highway (a high TRAP exposure zone) during pregnancy. We created a population-based retrospective birth cohort with geocoded residential location data for all births in Texas from 1996 through 2009. Our analysis is restricted to live singleton births in urbanized areas (n=3.7 million), where we are primarily interested in term birth weight (≥37 weeks gestation). High TRAP exposure is defined by residence within 300m of a major highway. We implement linear regressions for two-year increments and adjust for infant demographics, maternal socioeconomic status, and neighborhood context. Additional sensitivity analyses include an NO2 land use regression model as an alternative exposure and implementing propensity score matching. Results: Our unadjusted models show large increases in term birth weight from 1996-1997 (-32g; 95% CI: -35, -29) to 2008-2009 (-18g; 95% CI: -21, -16). In adjusted models, these differences remain but are attenuated for 1998-1999 (-6; 95% CI: -10, -2) to 2008-2009 (-2g; 95% CI: -5, 1). Results based on NO2 LUR predictions showed similar associations while propensity score matching results for both exposure metrics remain similar but attenuated. Conclusion: Infant health risks associated with exposure to TRAP has reduced over time, paralleling polices that have reduced tailpipe emissions.
Source: Environmental Epidemiology
Authors: Willis M, Hill E, Kile M, Carozza S, Hystad P
Institutions: Oregon State University, University of Rochester
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,200
OpenAlex ID: W2982121082