Prenatal, Early-Life, and Childhood Exposure to Air Pollution and Lung Function: The ALSPAC Cohort
Yutong Cai, Anna Hansell, Raquel Granell, Marta Blangiardo, Mariagrazia Zottoli, Daniela Fecht, John Gulliver, A. John Henderson, Paul Elliott
Abstract
Abstract Rationale Exposure to air pollution during intrauterine development and through childhood may have lasting effects on respiratory health. Objectives To investigate lung function at ages 8 and 15 years in relation to air pollution exposures during pregnancy, infancy, and childhood in a UK population–based birth cohort. Methods Individual exposures to source-specific particulate matter ≤10 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10) during each trimester, 0–6 months, 7–12 months (1990–1993), and up to age 15 years (1991–2008) were examined in relation to FEV1% predicted and FVC% predicted at ages 8 (n = 5,276) and 15 (n = 3,446) years using linear regression models adjusted for potential confounders. A profile regression model was used to identify sensitive time periods. Measurements and Main Results We did not find clear evidence of a sensitive exposure period for PM10 from road traffic. At age 8 years, 1 μg/m3 higher exposure during the first trimester was associated with lower FEV1% predicted (−0.826; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.357 to −0.296) and FVC% predicted (−0.817; 95% CI, −1.357 to −0.276), but similar associations were seen for exposures for other trimesters, 0–6 months, 7–12 months, and 0–7 years. Associations were stronger among boys, as well as children whose mother had a lower education level or smoked during pregnancy. For PM10 from all sources, the third trimester was associated with lower FVC% predicted (−1.312; 95% CI, −2.100 to −0.525). At age 15 years, no adverse associations with lung function were seen. Conclusions Exposure to road-traffic PM10 during pregnancy may result in small but significant reductions in lung function at age 8 years.