Submission ID 118516
| Issue/Objective | Wildfire smoke is composed of several air pollutants that are harmful to human health. Recently, a limited number of studies have observed an association between prenatal exposure to wildfire smoke and adverse birth outcomes, such as reduced birth weights and increased rates of preterm births. The health consequences of smoke pollution may depend on the frequency and duration of the exposure. Despite this, there is limited reproductive health research focused on highly acute wildfire exposures, such as the smoke events that polluted Ontario in summer of 2023. Notably, the frequency and severity of these acute events are predicted to increase with worsening climate change. |
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| Methodology/Approach | We aim to assess birth outcomes in Ontario following prenatal exposure to the summer 2023 acute wildfire events. Regression models will be constructed to evaluate this relationship. Birth outcome data will be acquired for all eligible pregnancies via the BORN Ontario database. Eligible pregnancies include those where any trimester of the prenatal period overlapped with June 2023 (Exposure Period) or June 2022 (Control Period). Smoke exposure will be estimated using satellite sensor data and surface-level fine particulate matter (PM2.5) measurements. Regression models will be adjusted for to account for relevant covariates and interaction terms. |
| Results | We will report the unadjusted and adjusted regression results. Results from our interaction models will be reported to provide insight on factors such as maternal smoking status, prenatal care use, and socioeconomic status. We will also present all descriptive statistics related to pregnancy outcomes, wildfire smoke exposures, and related covariates. Preliminary results suggest that exposure levels varied significantly depending on the geographic location of the mothers' residence and indicate discrepancies between the satellite and surface-level estimates. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | The results of this study will help clarify the relationship between smoke pollution and pregnancy during acute wildfire events. Elucidating this relationship may help inform better public health interventions in Ontario and similar geographic contexts. Strengthening public health measures in these areas may be particularly prescient, as acute wildfire events are expected to escalate due to climate change. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Amy Fernando University of Toronto Matthew Adams University of Toronto |
