title: An exploratory analysis of the relationship between ambient ozone and particulate matter concentrations during early pregnancy and selected birth defects in Texas.
abstract: We performed an exploratory analysis of ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations during early pregnancy and multiple types of birth defects. Data on births were obtained from the Texas Birth Defects Registry (TBDR) and the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) in Texas. Air pollution concentrations were previously determined by combining modeled air pollution concentrations with air monitoring data. The analysis generated hypotheses for future, confirmatory studies; although many of the observed associations were null. The hypotheses are provided by an observed association between O3 and craniosynostosis and inverse associations between PM2.5 and septal and obstructive heart defects in the TBDR. Associations with PM2.5 for septal heart defects and ventricular outflow tract obstructions were null using the NBDPS. Both the TBDR and the NBPDS had inverse associations between O3 and septal heart defects. Further research to confirm the observed associations is warranted.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 109 T.W. Alexander Dr., Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA. Electronic address: vinikoor-imler.lisa@epa.gov.
authors.forename: Lisa C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Vinikoor-Imler
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, 135 Dauer Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. Electronic address: tgs@email.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 109 T.W. Alexander Dr., Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA. Electronic address: luben.tom@epa.gov.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Luben
authors.affiliation: National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 109 T.W. Alexander Dr., Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA. Electronic address: davis.allen@epa.gov.
authors.forename: J Allen
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Birth Defects Epidemiology Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, PO Box 149347, MC 1964, Austin, TX 78714, USA. Electronic address: peter.langlois@dshs.state.tx.us.
authors.forename: Peter H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Langlois
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010126:Ozone / Q000032:analysis*; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter; D010126:Ozone
keywords: Air pollution; Birth defects; Ozone; Particulate matter