JAMA Pediatrics Publishes Findings of Wang Haijun from PKU School of Public Health

Jan 19, 2018

Peking University, Jan. 19, 2018: Professor Wang Haijun and his team from PKU School of Public Health collaborated with Professor Ma Xu’s team from Institute of Science and Technology of National Health and Family Planning Commission and experts from The Johns Hopkins University in in-depth analyses of the data of maternal and child health and of air pollution to find for the first time the effect of exposure to particular matter with aerodynamic diameters of 1 μm or less (PM1) during pregnancy on preterm birth (PTB). The research findings were published online by JAMA Pediatrics (IF 10.251) as the website’s cover paper with the title “Association of Long-term Exposure to Airborne Particulate Matter of 1μm or Less With Preterm Birth in China”.

The study used the National Free Preconception Health Examination Project data collected between 2013 and 2014 and set up a cohort of about 1.3 million births. Based on data from satellite remote sensing, land use information and meteorological data, PM1 concentration was calculated for each pregnant woman. It found that a PM1 concentration increase of 10μg/m3 during the first trimester, the second trimester, the third trimester, and over the entire pregnancy increased the risk of PTB by 7%, 10%, 4%, and 9% respectively. Compared with that in the lowly polluted areas (with a PM1 concentration less than 34μg/m3), the risk of PTB was increased by 36% in the highly polluted areas (with a PM1 concentration more than 52μg/m3).

Up to now, many countries, including China, have formulated regulations on the air quality standard for particulates and PM2.5 (fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less). The air quality standard for PM1 is yet to be designated. The study provided for the first time very important evidence for the formulation of regulation on airborne pollutants and public health policy. It was also of practical value for taking effective measures to reduce the risk of PTB caused by air pollution.

Paper Link:

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2666221

Written by: Lang Lang
Edited by: Liu Xin, Zhang Jiang
Source: School of Public Health

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