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Indoor air pollution exposure and early childhood development in the Upstate KIDS Study

Alexandra Grippo1, Kexin Zhu1, Edwina H Yeung2

  • 1Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA.

Environmental Research
|July 7, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Indoor air pollution from unclean cooking fuels and passive smoke is linked to developmental delays in young children. This study highlights risks during pregnancy and early life for neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Neurodevelopment
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Limited research exists on indoor air pollution's impact on early childhood neurodevelopment in the U.S.
  • This study addresses the gap by examining associations between indoor air pollution and child development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between prenatal and postnatal indoor air pollution exposure and early childhood development.
  • To assess the impact of specific indoor pollutants like cooking fuels and passive smoke on developmental domains.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from 4735 mother-child pairs in the Upstate KIDS Study (2008-2010).
  • Assessed indoor air pollution from cooking, heating fuels, and passive smoke via questionnaires during pregnancy and at 12 and 36 months postpartum.
  • Evaluated child development across five domains using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire at multiple time points (4-36 months).
  • Employed generalized estimating equations to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Main Results:

  • Exposure to unclean cooking fuels (natural gas, propane, wood) was associated with increased odds of failing gross motor (OR=1.52) and personal-social (OR=1.36) domains.
  • Passive smoke exposure increased the odds of failing the problem-solving domain by 71% (OR=1.71) in children of non-smoking mothers.
  • No significant association was found between heating fuel use and developmental delays.

Conclusions:

  • Unclean cooking fuel use and passive smoke exposure during critical developmental periods are linked to developmental delays.
  • Findings underscore the importance of reducing indoor air pollution for healthy child neurodevelopment.
  • Results from this prospective birth cohort provide evidence for targeted public health interventions.
Abstract

Keywords:
Child developmentCooking fuelsHeating fuelsIndoor air pollutionLongitudinalPassive smoke

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