Air pollution from incinerators and reproductive outcomes: a multisite study
Silvia Candela1, Andrea Ranzi, Laura Bonvicini
1From the aEpidemiology Unit, Local Health Authority, Reggio Emilia, Italy; bRegional Reference Centre on Environment and Health, ARPA Emilia-Romagna, Modena, Italy; cPublic Health Service, Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy; and dDepartment of Epidemiology, Lazio Region, Italy.
Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.)
|October 1, 2013
Summary
Maternal exposure to municipal solid waste incinerator emissions was linked to an increased risk of preterm birth. This study found a significant association even at low exposure levels, highlighting potential public health concerns.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Reproductive Epidemiology
- Air Pollution Studies
Background:
- Limited and conflicting research exists on the impact of municipal solid-waste incinerator emissions on pregnancy outcomes.
- This study addresses the need for clearer evidence by examining emissions from eight operational incinerators in Italy's Emilia-Romagna Region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between air emissions from municipal solid-waste incinerators and adverse reproductive outcomes.
- Specific outcomes examined include sex ratio, multiple births, preterm births, and small for gestational age (SGA) births.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 21,517 births between 2003-2010 was analyzed for women residing within a 4-km radius of incinerators.
- Exposure to incinerator emissions (PM10) and other pollutants (NOx) was modeled using the ADMS-Urban system.
- Logistic regression models were employed, adjusting for covariates and other pollution sources.
Main Results:
- No significant associations were found between incinerator pollution and sex ratio, multiple births, or SGA births.
- A statistically significant increase in preterm delivery was observed with rising exposure levels to incinerator emissions (P < 0.001).
- The highest quintile of exposure showed an odds ratio of 1.30 for preterm delivery compared to the lowest quintile.
Conclusions:
- Maternal exposure to incinerator emissions is associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery.
- This association was evident even at low levels of exposure, suggesting a potential public health concern.
- Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings.
