An Investigation into the Correlation between PM 2.5 and Low Birth Weight Rates in Texas

Simple item page
dc.contributorKapral, Andrew
dc.contributor.authorJames, Anjali
dc.contributor.authorJimenez, Ashley
dc.contributor.authorJuhas, Claire
dc.contributor.authorMandviwala, Sakina
dc.contributor.authorSanati, Salar
dc.date.accessioned2021-02-24T22:43:39Z
dc.date.available2021-02-24T22:43:39Z
dc.date.issued2020-09-29
dc.description.abstractStudies from countries such as Brazil and the Czech Republic show pregnancy and infant abnormalities relating to an increased concentration of particulate matter (PM) 2.5 in the atmosphere for inhalation by mothers during the second trimester. Texas has been highlighted as one of the United States’ most polluted states due to excess petrochemical and manufacturing facilities, which emit PM 2.5 along with other carcinogens. This study evaluates the impacts of PM 2.5 emissions on the newborn population in Texas by comparing regional emissions data to reported Low Birthweight (LBW) Rates of newborns across Texas. Average PM 2.5 measurements are taken in micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m^3) throughout different regions where air monitors are distributed, sorted by county. Low Birth-weight Rates are identified as the average population of reported newborns under 2,500 grams in a given year per county. Furthermore, this study identifies the top PM 2.5 emission sites in Texas throughout the years of 2014-2018 and compares them to trends in their yearly county LBW rate. LBW has been linked to increasing complications with age including diabetes and heart disease. The findings of this study can provide further insight onto whether Texas, who receives one of the highest funding allocations for air quality monitoring and pollution control of any state by the EPA, should redistribute a bulk of its funding from monitoring to preventative measures in PM 2.5 pollution due to harmful links associated with these prenatal inhalants by mothers.
dc.description.departmentBiology and Biochemistry, Department of
dc.description.departmentHonors College
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10657/7606
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.rightsThe author of this work is the copyright owner. UH Libraries and the Texas Digital Library have their permission to store and provide access to this work. Further transmission, reproduction, or presentation of this work is prohibited except with permission of the author(s).
dc.titleAn Investigation into the Correlation between PM 2.5 and Low Birth Weight Rates in Texas
dc.typePoster

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
JimenezJuhasMandviwalaSanati_2020URD.pdf
Size:
15.44 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download

Collections

Undergraduate Research Day Student Projects