Children's Particulate Matter Exposure Characterization as Part of the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study
Jonathan Thornburg1, Yuliya Halchenko2, Michelle McCombs1
1RTI International, Technology-Advancement-Commercialization, 3040 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
Insights
Woodstove smoke significantly impacts children's fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure. Wearable sensors effectively measured personal PM2.5, informing potential health interventions for young children.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Epidemiology
- Air Quality Monitoring
Background:
- Childhood exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding personal exposure levels is crucial for developing effective interventions.
- Previous studies have limitations in accurately measuring personal PM2.5 in young children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize personal PM2.5 exposure in children aged 3-5 years using wearable sensors.
- To assess protocol compliance with wearable sensor use in a pediatric cohort.
- To identify factors influencing PM2.5, black carbon (BC), and brown carbon tobacco smoke (BrC-ETS) exposures.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the MicroPEM™ wearable sensor to collect continuous and integrated PM2.5 exposure and compliance data from 272 children.
- Analyzed filter samples for PM2.5, BC, and BrC-ETS concentrations.
- Conducted multivariate analysis to examine the influence of woodstove presence, usage, heating source, and air filters on exposure levels.
Main Results:
- Achieved 95% valid exposure data collection (258/272 participants).
- Children wore the sensor for an average of 46% of the 72-hour period, with over 80% compliance for 2-day/1-night periods.
- Median PM2.5, BC, and BrC-ETS concentrations were 8.1, 3.6, and 2.4 μg/m³, respectively, with BC and BrC-ETS comprising 72% of PM2.5.
- Woodstove presence and usage were associated with increased PM2.5 exposure, while air filters were associated with reduced concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Woodstove smoke is a significant contributor to children's PM2.5 exposure in this cohort.
- The MicroPEM™ is a viable tool for measuring personal PM2.5 exposure in young children for epidemiological studies.
- Findings support the development of targeted interventions to reduce exposure and improve pediatric health.
Abstract:
As part of the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study, children 3 to 5 years of age participated in a personal PM2.5 exposure study. This paper characterizes the personal PM2.5 exposure and protocol compliance measured with a wearable sensor. The MicroPEM™ collected personal continuous and integrated measures of PM2.5 exposure and compliance data on 272 children. PM2.5, black carbon (BC), and brown carbon tobacco smoke (BrC-ETS) exposure was measured from the filters. We performed a multivariate analysis of woodstove presence and other factors that influenced PM2.5, BC, and BrC exposures. We collected valid exposure data from 258 of the 272 participants (95%). Children wore the MicroPEM for an average of 46% of the 72-h period, and over 80% for a 2-day, 1-night period (with sleep hours counted as non-compliance for this study). Elevated PM2.5 exposures occurred in the morning, evening, and overnight. Median PM2.5, BC, and BrC-ETS concentrations were 8.1 μg/m3, 3.6 μg/m3, and 2.4 μg/m3. The combined BC and BrC-ETS mass comprised 72% of the PM2.5. Woodstove presence, hours used per day, and the primary heating source were associated with the children's PM2.5 exposure and air filters were associated with reduced PM2.5 concentrations. Our findings suggest that woodstove smoke contributed significantly to this cohort's PM2.5 exposure. The high sample validity and compliance rate demonstrated that the MicroPEM can be worn by young children in epidemiologic studies to measure their PM2.5 exposure, inform interventions to reduce the exposures, and improve children's health.
