The Maternal and Infant Environmental Health Riskscape study of perinatal disparities in greater Houston: rationale, study design and participant profiles.

Introduction: The Maternal and Infant Environmental Health Riskscape (MIEHR) Center was established to address the interplay among chemical and non-chemical stressors in the biological, physical, social, and built environments that disproportionately impact perinatal health among Black pregnant people in a large and diverse urban area with documented disparities in the U.S.

Methods: The MIEHR cohort is recruiting non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic white pregnant people who deliver their infants at major obstetric hospitals in Houston, Texas.

Susceptible windows of prenatal and postnatal fine particulate matter exposures and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in early childhood.

Few prior studies have explored windows of susceptibility to fine particulate matter (PM) in both the prenatal and postnatal periods and children's attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. We analyzed data from 1416 mother-child pairs from the Spanish INMA (INfancia y Medio Ambiente) Study (2003-2008). Around 5 years of age, teachers reported the number of ADHD symptoms (i.

Estimation of exposure to particulate matter in pregnant individuals living in an area of unconventional oil and gas operations: Findings from the EXPERIVA study.

Northeastern British Columbia (Canada) is an area of oil and gas exploitation, which may result in release of fine (PM) and inhalable (PM) particulate matter. The aims of this study were to: 1) apply extrapolation methods to estimate exposure to PM and PM concentrations among EXPERIVA (Exposures in the Peace River Valley study) participants using air quality data archives; and 2) conduct exploratory analyses to investigate correlation between PM exposure and metrics of oil and gas wells density, proximity, and activity. Gestational exposure to PM and PM of the EXPERIVA participants ( = 85) was estimated by averaging the concentrations measured at the closest or three closest air monitoring stations during the pregnancy period.

Susceptible windows of exposure to fine particulate matter and fetal growth trajectories in the Spanish INMA (INfancia y Medio Ambiente) birth cohort.

While prior studies report associations between fine particulate matter (PM) exposure and fetal growth, few have explored temporally refined susceptible windows of exposure. We included 2328 women from the Spanish INMA Project from 2003 to 2008. Longitudinal growth curves were constructed for each fetus using ultrasounds from 12, 20, and 34 gestational weeks.

Maternal occupational exposure to chemicals and child cognitive function.

Background: Limited data exist regarding child neurodevelopment in relation to maternal occupational exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

Methods: We included 1058 mother-child pairs from the INfancia y Medio Ambiente (INMA) project (2003-2008). Using a job-exposure matrix, exposure probability scores for ten EDC groups were assigned to each mother based on her longest held job during pregnancy.

Maternal occupational exposures and fetal growth in a Spanish birth cohort.

While the epidemiologic literature suggests certain maternal occupational exposures may be associated with reduced measures of size at birth, the occupational literature employing fetal biometry data to assess fetal growth is sparse. The present study examines associations between maternal occupational exposures and ultrasound-measured fetal growth. We included 1,739 singleton pregnancies from the INfancia y Medio Ambiente (INMA) project (2003-2008).

Proximity and density of unconventional natural gas wells and mental illness and substance use among pregnant individuals: An exploratory study in Canada.

Background: Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is a method used to extract unconventional natural gas (UNG). Living near UNG operations has been associated with various health outcomes, but few have explored the association between UNG and mental health and substance use. Our objective was to evaluate the association between metrics of residential UNG well density/proximity and mental illness and substance use among pregnant individuals in Northeastern British Columbia, Canada.

Identifying Sensitive Windows of Exposure to NO2 and Fetal Growth Trajectories in a Spanish Birth Cohort.

Background: We previously identified associations between trimester-specific NO2 exposures and reduced fetal growth in the Spanish INfancia y Medio Ambiente (INMA) project. Here, we use temporally refined exposure estimates to explore the impact of narrow (weekly) windows of exposure on fetal growth.

Methods: We included 1,685 women from INMA with serial ultrasounds at 12, 20, and 34 gestational weeks.

Heavy metal pollution of soils and risk assessment in Houston, Texas following Hurricane Harvey.

In August 2017, after Hurricane Harvey made landfall, almost 52 inches of rain fell during a three-day period along the Gulf Coast Region of Texas, including Harris County, where Houston is located. Harris County was heavily impacted with over 177,000 homes and buildings (approximately 12 percent of all buildings in the county) experiencing flooding. The objective of this study was to measure 13 heavy metals in soil in residential areas and to assess cancer and non-cancer risk for children and adults after floodwaters receded.

A pilot study of total personal exposure to volatile organic compounds among Hispanic female domestic cleaners.

Cleaners have an elevated risk for the development or exacerbation of asthma and other respiratory conditions, possibly due to exposure to cleaning products containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) leading to inflammation and oxidative stress. This pilot study aimed to quantify total personal exposure to VOCs and to assess biomarkers of inflammation and pulmonary oxidative stress in 15 predominantly Hispanic women working as domestic cleaners in San Antonio, Texas, between November 2019 and July 2020. In partnership with a community organization, Domésticas Unidas, recruited women were invited to attend a training session where they were provided 3M 3500 passive organic vapor monitors (badges) and began a 72-hr sampling period during which they were instructed to wear one badge during the entire period ("AT," for ll the ime), a second badge only while they were inside their home ("INS," for ide), and a third badge only when they were outside their home ("OUT," for side).

Air Pollution, Residential Greenness and Metabolic Dysfunction during Early Pregnancy in the INfancia y Medio Ambiente (INMA) Cohort.

Despite extensive study, the role of air pollution in gestational diabetes remains unclear, and there is limited evidence of the beneficial impact of residential greenness on metabolic dysfunction during pregnancy. We used data from mothers in the Spanish INfancia y Medio Ambiente (INMA) Project from 2003-2008. We obtained spatiotemporally resolved estimates of fine particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen dioxide (NO) exposures in early pregnancy and estimated residential greenness using satellite-based Normal Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) within 100, 300 and 500 m buffers surrounding the mother's residence.

Urban-rural residence and birth defects prevalence in Texas: a phenome-wide association study.

Background: Some assessments indicate the prevalence of certain birth defects varies by urban-rural status. We evaluated associations between urban-rural residence and a spectrum of birth defects, using a phenome-wide association study approach in Texas, a state with large urban centers and expansive rural areas.

Methods: Data for birth defects and livebirths during 1999-2015 were obtained from the Texas Birth Defects Registry and the Center for Health Statistics.

Responding to Natural and Industrial Disasters: Partnerships and Lessons Learned.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide insights learned from disaster research response (DR2) efforts following Hurricane Harvey in 2017 to launch DR2 activities following the Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC) fire in Deer Park, Texas, in 2019.

Methods: A multidisciplinary group of academic, community, and government partners launched a myriad of DR2 activities.

Results: The DR2 response to Hurricane Harvey focused on enhancing environmental health literacy around clean-up efforts, measuring environmental contaminants in soil and water in impacted neighborhoods, and launching studies to evaluate the health impact of the disaster.

Exposure to DDT from indoor residual spraying and biomarkers of inflammation among reproductive-aged women from South Africa.

Background: Evidence from animal studies suggests that DDT and DDE can adversely affect immuno-competence while human data are less conclusive. We aimed to assess the association of plasma concentrations of DDT and DDE with biomarkers of inflammation among reproductive-aged women residing in homes sprayed with DDT through Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS).

Methods: This study included 416 women from the Study of Women and Babies, South Africa (2010-2011).

Particle air pollution and gestational diabetes mellitus in Houston, Texas.

Background: There is mixed evidence implicating prenatal exposure to particulate matter <2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM) in the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and only one study has examined exposure to PM constituents, which vary with location because of different emission sources.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of singleton live births in Harris County, Texas from 2008 to 2013.

Density and proximity to hydraulic fracturing wells and birth outcomes in Northeastern British Columbia, Canada.

Background: Hydraulic fracturing, a method used in Northeastern British Columbia (Canada) to extract natural gas, can release contaminants with potential deleterious health effects on fetal development. To date, the association between hydraulic fracturing activity and birth outcomes has not been evaluated in this region.

Objective: To evaluate the association between the hydraulic fracturing well density/proximity and birth outcomes (birthweight, head circumference, preterm birth and small for gestational age (SGA)).

Testing the Multiple Pathways of Residential Greenness to Pregnancy Outcomes Model in a Sample of Pregnant Women in the Metropolitan Area of Donostia-San Sebastián.

Residential greenness may positively impact diverse human health indicators through the reduction of air pollution, the improvement of psychological health, and the promotion of physical activity. Previous studies indicate a weak but positive association with pregnancy outcomes. Our aim was to test the multiple pathways from residential greenness to pregnancy outcomes model, using residential NO concentrations, psychological health, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during the first trimester of pregnancy, in a sample of 440 pregnant women residing in Donostia, Spain.

What Accounts for Physical Activity during Pregnancy? A Study on the Sociodemographic Predictors of Self-Reported and Objectively Assessed Physical Activity during the 1st and 2nd Trimesters of Pregnancy.

Physical activity (PA) during pregnancy has positive health implications for both mother and child. However, current literature indicates that not all pregnant women meet the international recommendations for PA (at least 150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous PA). The main objective of this study was to assess PA levels among pregnant women in the city of Donostia-San Sebastian and identify their main sociodemographic predictors.

Characterization of urinary concentrations of heavy metals among socioeconomically disadvantaged black pregnant women.

The objective of this study was to characterize exposures to metals using biological samples collected on socioeconomically disadvantaged black pregnant women. We obtained 131 anonymous urine samples provided by black pregnant women visiting a Medicaid-serving prenatal clinic in Houston, TX, from March 27, 2017 to April 11, 2017. We analyzed urine samples for 15 metals including cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni) and for creatinine and cotinine.

Mental wellbeing among Hispanic female domestic cleaners.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the mental wellbeing of self-employed, Hispanic female domestic cleaners in San Antonio, Texas.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional pilot study and administered a short questionnaire to 56 participants. Mental wellbeing was assessed using The World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5).

Temperature, placental abruption and stillbirth.

Background: Pregnant women may be vulnerable to changes in ambient temperature and warming climates. Recent evidence suggests that temperature increases are associated with placental abruption, a risk factor for stillbirth.

Objectives: We investigated the effect of acute exposures to apparent temperature on stillbirths in Harris County, Texas, 2008-2013.

PM metal constituent exposure and stillbirth risk in Harris County, Texas.

There is limited evidence on the role of exposure to chemical constituents of fine particulate matter (PM) in risk for stillbirth. Thus, we conducted a case-control study in Harris County, Texas between 2008 and 2013, utilizing a 6:1 ratio of controls to individually matched cases. We linked birth and fetal death records with PM data from a single air monitoring station and estimated maternal exposures to metal constituents of PM over the risk period (defined by the gestational length of each case).