Effects of Prenatal Exposure to Coal-Burning Pollutants on Children’s Development in China

Abstract

BackgroundEnvironmental pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), lead, and mercury are released by combustion of coal and other fossil fuels.ObjectivesIn the present study we evaluated the association between prenatal exposure to these pollutants and child development measured by the Gesell Developmental Schedules at 2 years of age.MethodsThe study was conducted in Tongliang, Chongqing, China, where a seasonally operated coal-fired power plant was the major source of ambient PAHs and also contributed lead and mercury to the air. In a cohort of nonsmoking women and their newborns enrolled between March 2002 and June 2002, we measured levels of PAH–DNA adducts, lead, and mercury in umbilical cord blood. PAH–DNA adducts (specifically benzo[a]pyrene adducts) provided a biologically relevant measure of PAH exposure. We also obtained developmental quotients (DQs) in motor, adaptive, language, and social areas.ResultsDecrements in one or more DQs were significantly associated with cord blood levels of PAH–DNA adducts and lead, but not mercury. Increased adduct levels were associated with decreased motor area DQ (p = 0.043), language area DQ (p = 0.059), and average DQ (p = 0.047) after adjusting for cord lead level, environmental tobacco smoke, sex, gestational age, and maternal education. In the same model, high cord blood lead level was significantly associated with decreased social area DQ (p = 0.009) and average DQ (p = 0.038).ConclusionThe findings indicate that exposure to pollutants from the power plant adversely affected the development of children living in Tongliang; these findings have implications for environmental health policy.

Fruit and vegetable intake influences the association between exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and a marker of oxidative stress in pregnant women

“…Exposure to PAHs during pregnancy is known to increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preeclampsia (Wu et al, 2009) and fetal growth retardation (Dejmek et al, 2000). There is now also evidence that prenatal PAH exposure is associated with a reduction in physical growth at birth (Perera et al, 1998(Perera et al, , 2003 and in the child's subsequent cognitive development (Perera et al, 2006(Perera et al, , 2009Tang et al, 2008).…”

Maternal Exposure to Particulate Air Pollution and Engineered Nanoparticles: Reproductive and Developmental Effects

“…Increased systemic inflammation and levels of urinary 8-oxodeoxyguanosine (a marker of oxidative damage to DNA) have been reported in children born and raised in areas with high air pollution (Calderon-Garciduenas et al, 2008;Švecová et al, 2009). Maternal exposure during pregnancy to traffic-related or industrial air pollution has furthermore been associated with adverse effects in the children related to cognitive and perceptual performance, motor function and language skills (Freire et al, 2010;Tang et al, 2008). It is difficult to causally link exposure to air pollution to negative reproductive outcomes in man.…”

Hydroelectric reservoir inundation (Rio Madeira Basin, Amazon) and changes in traditional lifestyle: impact on growth and neurodevelopment of pre-school children

“…Tang et al (34) described the GDS application, stressing its adoption by the WHO for use in resource-poor settings. The DQ was standardized (100).…”

“…DQ of 70-85 is indicative of moderate delay, whereas DQ ,70 indicates severe delay. The GDS has a significant correlation with mental development at 6-7 years as measured by an adapted version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children (34) .…”