Citation:

McGuinn, L., L. Schieve, G. Windham, L. Croen, J. Daniels, M. Gammon, D. Richardson, A. Rappold, L. Neas, AND L. Messer. Air Pollution, Neighborhood Deprivation, and Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Study to Explore Early Development#. ISEE 2018, Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA, August 26 - 30, 2018.

Impact/Purpose:

This abstract makes a contribution to the growing body of scientific knowledge regarding the effects of ambient exposures to fine particulate matter to the development of autism spectrum disorder in infants.

Description:

Background: Neighborhood deprivation may modify associations between early life trafficrelated air pollution and particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM2.5) exposure and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: We used data from the Study to Explore Early Development to evaluate the association between proximity of residence at birth to major roadways, PM2.5, and odds of ASD. Analyses included 674 cases of children with confirmed ASD and 855 population controls. We assessed associations with roadway proximity, as a marker of traffic-related air pollution, and PM2.5 during the entire pregnancy and first year of life. To characterize neighborhood deprivation, a weighted index was created, based on eight census tract level socioeconomic status-related parameters obtained from the US census. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals for the associations between roadway proximity, PM2.5, and ASD. Results: We observed modification by neighborhood deprivation for the association between PM2.5 exposure during the first year of life and ASD, with the strongest associations observed for those living in high neighborhood deprivation (odds ratio=2.42, 95% confidence interval: 1.20, 4.86). Conclusions: These results provide suggestive evidence of interaction between neighborhood deprivation and PM2.5 exposure during the first year of life in association with childhood ASD. This abstract does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.

Record Details: