Dataset Information

Disparities in exposure to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and risk of adverse birth outcomes in Pennsylvania, USA.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Previous studies have linked exposure to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) with various health outcomes. However, relatively few studies evaluated the impacts of CAFOs on adverse birth outcomes, despite significant public health concerns regarding maternal and child health.

Objectives

This cross-sectional study investigated the risk of adverse birth outcomes associated with CAFOs exposure and evaluated disparities in exposure to CAFOs and associated health outcomes.

Methods

We obtained individual-level birth records from 2003 to 2020 from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. We considered two adverse birth outcomes: (1) preterm birth (PTB); and (2) low birth weight (LBW). Exposure was considered as a binary indicator (presence or absence of CAFO) and as categories based on level of exposure. Logistic regression was applied to estimate the association between CAFOs exposure and adverse birth outcomes. Models were adjusted for infant's sex, maternal demographics (age, race/ethnicity, education), prenatal BMI, prenatal care, smoking status, marital status, plurality, WIC status, and urban/rural indicator. We examined both disparities in exposure and in health response.

Results

Presence of CAFOs was associated with higher risk of PTB, with an increasing trend with higher levels of CAFOs exposure. Compared to the no CAFO exposure group, the odds ratios for PTB were 1.022 (95 % confidence interval 1.003, 1.043), 1.066 (1.034, 1.100), 1.069 (1.042, 1.097) for low, medium, and high CAFOs exposure groups, respectively. Some maternal characteristics were associated with a higher CAFO-related risk of PTB. Similar associations were observed for LBW for some characteristics such as mother's race/ethnicity, education, WIC status, and urbanicity, although some findings were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that presence of CAFOs increases risk of preterm birth. Our results indicate that some maternal characteristics may be associated with higher risk of CAFO-related PTB or LBW. This study can inform future research on disparities in CAFO exposure and associated health burden.

SUBMITTER: Son JY

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11320432 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Disparities in exposure to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and risk of adverse birth outcomes in Pennsylvania, USA.

Son Ji-Young JY Bell Michelle L ML

Heliyon 20240719 15

<h4>Background</h4>Previous studies have linked exposure to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) with various health outcomes. However, relatively few studies evaluated the impacts of CAFOs on adverse birth outcomes, despite significant public health concerns regarding maternal and child health.<h4>Objectives</h4>This cross-sectional study investigated the risk of adverse birth outcomes associated with CAFOs exposure and evaluated disparities in exposure to CAFOs and associated health ...[more]

PMID: 39145018

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundConcentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) emit pollutants that can cause negative impacts on human health. The concentration of hog production in North Carolina raises concerns regarding the disproportionate exposure of vulnerable communities to air pollution from CAFOs.ObjectivesWe investigated whether exposure to gaseous ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) (in 2019) differs between subpopulations by examining demographics, including race/ethnicity, age, educational attainment, language proficiency, and socioeconomic status.MethodsWe used an Air Monitoring Station (AMS)/Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regulatory Model (AERMOD)-based Human Exposure Model (version 3) to estimate ambient concentrations of NH3 and H2S from hog farms in Duplin County and its surrounding counties in North Carolina and estimate subsequent exposures of communities within 50km of Duplin County, North Carolina, or the Duplin County Region. We combined estimated exposures with 2016 American Community Summary Census data, at the block group level, using spatial analysis to investigate whether exposures to these pollutants differ by race and ethnicity, age, income, education, and language proficiency. Based on these estimations, we assessed associated exposure risks to the impacted communities and used multivariable regression modeling to evaluate the relationship between average ammonia exposures from Duplin regional hog farms and the presence of vulnerable populations.ResultsThe average [±standard deviation (SD)] annual estimated concentration of NH3 and H2S in the Duplin County Region is 1.75±2.81 μg/m3 and 0.0087±0.014 μg/m3, respectively. The maximum average annual ambient concentrations are estimated at 54.27±4.12 μg/m3 and 0.54±0.041 μg/m3 for NH3 and H2S, respectively. Our descriptive analysis reveals that people of low income, people of color, people with low educational attainment, and the linguistically isolated in the Duplin Region are disproportionately exposed to higher levels of pollutants than the average exposure for residents. Alternatively, our statistical results suggests that after adjusting for covariates, communities of color are associated with 1.70% (95% CI: -3.79, 0.44) lower NH3 concentrations per 1-SD increase. One-standard deviation increases in the adults with low educational attainment and children <19 years of age is associated with 1.26% (95% CI: -0.77, 3.33) and 1.20% (95% CI: -0.62, 3.05) higher NH3 exposure per 1-SD increase, respectively.DiscussionExposures to NH3 and H2S differed by race and ethnicity, educational attainment, language proficiency, and socioeconomic status. The observed associations between exposure to CAFO-generated pollutants and sociodemographic indicators differed among demographics. The disproportionate distribution of hog facilities and resulting pollutant exposures among communities may have adverse environmental and human health impacts, raising environmental justice concerns. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11344.

Dataset Information

Disparities in exposure to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and risk of adverse birth outcomes in Pennsylvania, USA.

Background

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Disparities in exposure to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and risk of adverse birth outcomes in Pennsylvania, USA.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets