Summary:
The impact of pesticide exposure before conception on stillbirth has not received the attention it deserves. This study aimed to address this gap by analyzing pesticide use records from Arizona between 2006 and 2020 in relation to birth certificates. The research focused on proximity to pyrethroid, organophosphate, and carbamate pesticide applications within 500 meters during a 90-day pre-conception period or the first trimester to estimate their associations with stillbirth. The study included data from 1,237,750 births, 2,290 stillbirths, and 27 pesticides. Findings indicated that pre-conception pesticide exposure was linked to an increased risk of stillbirth, with specific pesticides such as cyfluthrin, zeta-cypermethrin, and carbaryl showing significant associations. During the first trimester, associations were found with fenpropathrin, permethrin, and acephate, among others. Results remained consistent when adjusting for different exposure lengths. These findings suggest that pesticide exposure during the preconception period and first trimester may be associated with an increased risk of stillbirth.
Abstract:
Associations of pesticide exposures during pre-conception with stillbirth have not been well explored. We linked Arizona pesticide use records with birth certificates from 2006-2020 and estimated associations of living within 500meters of any pyrethroid, organophosphate (OP), or carbamate pesticide applications during a 90 day pre-conception window or the first trimester, with stillbirth. We considered a binary measure of exposure (any exposure), as well as log-pounds and log-acres applied within 500m, in a negative control exposure framework with log-binomial regression. We included 1,237,750 births, 2,290 stillbirths, and 27 pesticides. During pre-conception, any exposure to pesticides were associated with stillbirth, including cyfluthrin (RR=1.97, 95% CI 1.17,3.32), zeta-cypermethrin (RR=1.81, 95%CI 1.20, 2.74), organophosphates as a class (RR=1.60, 95%CI 1.16, 2.19), malathion (RR=2.02, 95%CI 1.26, 3.24), carbaryl (RR=6.39, 95%CI 2.07, 19.74), and propamocarb hydrochloride (RR=7.72, 95%CI 1.10, 54.20) . During the first trimester, fenpropathrin (RR=4.36, 95%CI 1.09, 17.50), permethrin (RR=1.57, 95%CI 1.02, 2.42), organophosphates as a class (RR=1.50, 95%CI 1.11, 2.01), acephate (RR=2.31, 95%CI 1.22, 4.40), and formetanate hydrochloride (RR=7.22, 95%CI 1.03, 50.58) were associated with stillbirth. Interpretations were consistent when using continuous measures of pounds or acres of exposure. Pesticide exposures during pre-conception and first trimester may be associated with stillbirth.
Article Publication Date: 16/07/2024
DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwae198
