Increased risk of preterm delivery among people living near the three oil refineries in Taiwan.
The petrochemical and petroleum industries are two of the main sources of industrial air pollution in Taiwan. Data used in this study concern outdoor air pollution and the health of individuals living in communities in close proximity to oil refinery plants. The prevalence of delivery of preterm birth infants was significantly higher in mothers living near the oil refinery plants than in control mothers in Taiwan. After controlling for several possible confounders (including maternal age, season, marital status, maternal education, and infant sex), the adjusted odds ratio was 1.14 (95% CI=1.01-1.28) for delivery of preterm infants for mothers living near oil refinery plants. These data provide further support for the hypothesis that air pollution can affect the outcome of pregnancies.
Institute of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st RD, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan, ROC. chunyuh@kmu.edu.tw
Chun-Yuh
CY
Yang
Chih-Ching
CC
Chang
Hung-Yi
HY
Chuang
Chi-Kung
CK
Ho
Trong-Neng
TN
Wu
Po-Ya
PY
Chang
D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000506:poisoning*; D002617:Chemical Industry; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature; D010578:Petroleum; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan
D000393:Air Pollutants; D010578:Petroleum