Exploration of PM mass, source, and component-related factors that might explain heterogeneity in daily PM-mortality associations across the United States.

Multi-city epidemiologic studies examining short-term (daily) differences in fine particulate matter (PM) provide evidence of substantial spatial heterogeneity in city-specific mortality risk estimates across the United States. Because PM is a mixture of particles, both directly emitted from sources or formed through atmospheric reactions, some of this heterogeneity may be due to regional variations in PM toxicity. Using inverse variance weighted linear regression, we examined change in percent change in mortality in association with 24 "exposure" determinants representing three basic groupings based on potential explanations for differences in PM toxicity - size, source, and composition.

Associations between PM and risk of preterm birth among liveborn infants.

Purpose: Studies suggest exposure to ambient particulate matter less than 2.5 μg/m in aerodynamic diameter (PM) may be associated with preterm birth (PTB), but few have evaluated how this is modified by ambient temperature. We investigated the relationship between PM exposure during pregnancy and PTB in infants without birth defects (1999-2006) and enrolled in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study and how it is modified by concurrent temperature.

Associations between Maternal Water Consumption and Birth Defects in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (2000-2005).

Background: Water and water-based beverages constitute a major part of daily fluid intake for pregnant women, yet few epidemiologic studies have investigated the role of water consumption on birth outcomes.

Methods: We used data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study to conduct a case-control study investigating associations between maternal water consumption during pregnancy and birth defects (BD). We used interview data on water consumption during the first trimester of pregnancy in 14,454 cases (major BDs n ≥ 50) and 5,063 controls.

The association of wildfire smoke with respiratory and cardiovascular emergency department visits in Colorado in 2012: a case crossover study.

Background: In 2012, Colorado experienced one of its worst wildfire seasons of the past decade. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship of local PM2.5 levels, modeled using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model with Chemistry, with emergency department visits and acute hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular outcomes during the 2012 Colorado wildfires.