The Combined Effects of Fine Particulate Matter and Temperature on Preterm Birth in Seoul, 2010–2016

Youngrin Kwag, Min-ho Kim, Shinhee Ye, Jongmin Oh, Gyeyoon Yim, Young Ju Kim, Eunji Kim, Semi Lee, Tai Kyung Koh and Eunhee Ha
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Youngrin Kwag: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul KS013, Korea
Min-ho Kim: Informatization Department, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Seoul KS013, Korea
Shinhee Ye: Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Incheon KS006, Korea
Jongmin Oh: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul KS013, Korea
Gyeyoon Yim: Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Young Ju Kim: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul KS013, Korea
Eunji Kim: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul KS013, Korea
Semi Lee: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul KS013, Korea
Tai Kyung Koh: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul KS013, Korea
Eunhee Ha: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul KS013, Korea

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-8

Abstract: Background: Preterm birth contributes to the morbidity and mortality of newborns and infants. Recent studies have shown that maternal exposure to particulate matter and extreme temperatures results in immune dysfunction, which can induce preterm birth. This study aimed to evaluate the association between fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) exposure, temperature, and preterm birth in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Methods: We used 2010–2016 birth data from Seoul, obtained from the Korea National Statistical Office Microdata. PM 2.5 concentration data from Seoul were generated through the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model. Seoul temperature data were collected from the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The exposure period of PM 2.5 and temperature were divided into the first (TR1), second (TR2), and third (TR3) trimesters of pregnancy. The mean PM 2.5 concentration was used in units of ×10 µg/m 3 and the mean temperature was divided into four categories based on quartiles. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between PM 2.5 exposure and preterm birth, as well as the combined effects of PM 2.5 exposure and temperature on preterm birth. Result: In a model that includes three trimesters of PM 2.5 and temperature data as exposures, which assumes an interaction between PM 2.5 and temperature in each trimester, the risk of preterm birth was positively associated with TR1 PM 2.5 exposure among pregnant women exposed to relatively low mean temperatures (<3.4 °C) during TR1 (OR 1.134, 95% CI 1.061–1.213, p < 0.001). Conclusions: When we assumed the interaction between PM 2.5 exposure and temperature exposure, PM 2.5 exposure during TR1 increased the risk of preterm birth among pregnant women exposed to low temperatures during TR1. Pregnant women should be aware of the risk associated with combined exposure to particulate matter and low temperatures during TR1 to prevent preterm birth.

Keywords: preterm birth; low birth weight; PM 2.5; temperature (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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