"Exposure to Airborne Fine Particle Pollution Among Environmental Justice Communities and the Effects on Adverse Birth Outcomes in Southwestern Pennsylvania", Public Health/Environmental and Occupational Health. 

Committee: 

• Nesta Bortey-Sam (chair), EOH 
• James Fabisiak (advisor), EOH
• Sally Wenzel, EOH
• Jeanine Buchanich, Biostatistics and Health Data Science 

Abstract: 

PM2.5 exposure – particles ≤ 2.5 microns in aerodynamic diameter – is associated with adverse birth outcomes including prematurity, low birth weight (LBW), and small for gestational age (SGA). Previous studies indicate both elevated PM2.5 exposures and greater risks of adverse birth outcomes among environmental justice (EJ) communities; however, fewer studies examine the combined impact of EJ residency and PM2.5 and constituent exposure. We characterized total and constituent (black carbon (BC), SO4, NO3, NH4, organic matter (OM), and soil (mineral dust)) PM2.5 from 2000-2018 in SWPA (Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties) using satellite-derived estimates from the Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group. Census tract, county, and regional annual averages were calculated using 2010 EJ census tract and county data provided by the PA DEP. Total PM2.5 was significantly higher in EJ (20% or more living in poverty and/or 30% or more racial minority population) than non-EJ census tracts (p < 0.05). Component exposure differences varied. We then conducted a cohort study of 136,435 SWPA PA DOH birth records (excluding the City of Pittsburgh) from 2010-2017 to explore the independent and combined effects of EJ residency and total PM2.5 and constituents on preterm birth (< 37 weeks gestation), LBW (birth weight < 2,500 g), and SGA (birth weight < 10th percentile weight for gestational age) through multivariate logistic regression. Residency coordinates were matched to census tracts and to satellite-derived monthly estimates to determine EJ residency and 1-year pre-birth average PM2.5 and constituent exposures. Moderate (9-12 µg/m3) and high (> 12 µg/m3) PM2.5 exposure increased the odds of preterm birth (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.15, 1.29 and OR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.24, 1.47 respectively), as did EJ residency (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.15). High exposure to SO42-, NO3-, NH4+, and soil increased odds of preterm birth; NH4+ had the strongest effect (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.22). Neither EJ residency nor PM2.5 exposure affected SGA; moderate PM2.5 was associated with reduced odds of LBW (OR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84, 0.98). These findings address current gaps in the literature while also describing the impact of PM2.5 exposure on local vulnerable communities.