Abstract

Proximity to Waste Sites and Low Birth Weight in Georgia.
Track: Health and Human Services
Authors: Wei Tu, Stephen MacDonald

Low birth weight (LBW) is a significant public health problem in the U.S., but its etiology has not been fully understood. Previous studies have established the association of LBW with several demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors. However, research on the risk of LBW and the exposure to air pollutants remain rare. Using the data in Georgia between 2000 and 2006, we study the association between the exposure to PM2.5 concentration and LBW prevalence. First, using PM2.5 concentration surfaces generated by U.S. EPA, population exposure to PM2.5 are estimated at both census tract and county levels. Second, yearly LBW prevalence are calculated at the above two census levels based on the individual birth data collected from Georgia Vital Records Office. Third, ecological regressions are conducted to examine the numerical association between LBW prevalence and exposure to PM2.5.