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. 2016 Feb 9;105(3):e107–e115. doi: 10.1111/apa.13288

County‐level pesticide use and risk of shortened gestation and preterm birth

Paul Winchester 1,✉, Cathy Proctor 1, Jun Ying 2
PMCID: PMC5067698  PMID: 26613363

Abstract

Aim

This study assesses the association between pesticide exposure in pregnancy, preterm birth (PTB) and shortened gestation.

Methods

Pregnancy information was abstracted from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Non‐Public Use Natality Datasets 1990–2005. Pesticide use in maternal county of residence was calculated using California Pesticide Use Reporting (PUR) data 1990–2005. Counties were ranked by pesticide use, and birth months were sorted by peak (May–June) or nonpeak (other months) pesticide use. Multivariate logistical regression models were used.

Results

Counties with higher pesticide use were associated with higher PTB (low 8.59 ± 0.11%, moderate 9.25 ± 0.07%, high 10.0 ± 0.06%, p's < 0.001) and shorter gestations (low 39.197 ± 0.014 weeks, moderate 39.126 ± 0.011 weeks, high 39.049 ± 0.011 weeks, p's < 0.001). Peak pesticide months were associated with higher PTB (10.01 ± 0.05% vs. 9.36 ± 0.05%, p < 0.001) and shorter gestations (39.069 ± 0.007 weeks vs. 39.122 ± 0.007 weeks, p < 0.001). The pesticide effect on shortened gestation and higher PTB was found in all racial groups. Pesticide use was highest for fungicides > insecticides > fumigants > herbicides > others. Each pesticide type was found to be associated with higher PTB and shorter gestation.

Conclusion

PTB and shortened gestation were significantly associated with pesticide use in maternal county of residence regardless of race, gestation at birth, and in most risk categories.

Keywords: Gestation, Pesticide, Pregnancy, Preterm birth

Abbreviations

CDC

Centers for Disease Control

PTB

Preterm birth(s)

PUR

Pesticide use reporting

U.S.

United States

Key notes.

  • Higher pesticide‐use counties are associated with higher preterm birth (PTB) rates and shorter gestations.

  • Months of peak pesticide use (May–June) are also associated with higher PTB and shorter gestations.

  • Pesticide adverse effects are found in all racial groups and are correlated with each pesticide type (fungicide, insecticide, fumigant or herbicide).

Introduction

Infants born preterm (<37 weeks of gestation) are the greatest contributors to infant mortality and morbidity in the United Stated (U.S.) 1. Shorter gestations, even among healthy ‘term’ babies (gestations less than 39 weeks), have been associated with lower cognitive ability 2. In the United States, preterm births (PTB) increased 30% over the past two decades and the length of gestation has declined 3, 4. Environmental pesticides may contribute to PTB and shortened gestation.

Associations between pesticides and birth weight were reported, but the relationship between pesticides, PTB and shortened gestation remains controversial 5, 6, 7. In utero organophosphate pesticide exposure was found to be associated with higher PTB and shortened gestation in Latina women living in the Salinas Valley, California 6. However, the relevance of their findings at the population level was questioned 6. Our aim was to examine whether pesticide exposure significantly impacted the risk of PTB and shortened gestation at the population level.

Methods

California county‐level pesticide use between 1990 and 2005 was obtained from the California PUR database 8. Total pounds applied and pounds per acre for all pesticides in each county were abstracted by month and year. Pesticides were classified by type: fungicide, insecticide, fumigant, herbicide or other based on primary use type as indicated in the PAN Pesticides Database.

The study population included California singleton live births between 24 and 42 weeks of gestation from 1990 to 2005. An institutional data‐use agreement was approved to obtain the CDC Non‐Public Use Natality Datasets with all counties identified. An IRB for Human Subjects Research was not required for this study.

Maternal age, race, hypertension, diabetes, tobacco or alcohol use, and birth defects were abstracted. Gestational age was derived from the methods outlined in the CDC Natality Data User and Technical Guidelines 9. Mean PTB and gestational lengths were calculated for each maternal county of residence and each birth month. Gestation <37 weeks was defined as preterm, and gestation ≥37 weeks was defined as term. PTB and gestational lengths were calculated for Hispanic, White, Black and other maternal race.

In a separate analysis, counties were stratified by population size and categorised as large metro, medium metro or small metro (derived from the 2006 NCHS Urban‐Rural Classification Scheme for Counties). These are meant to reflect relatively urban versus relatively rural counties. Within each metro category, counties were ranked by pesticide use. PTB and gestation were then calculated for these subcategories of counties within rural/urban populations.

For the dichotomous outcome variable of preterm birth, multivariate logistical regression models were used. In the geographic analysis, pesticide use in maternal county of residence (low vs. moderate vs. high pesticide use) was tested for interactions with each controlling covariate (maternal age, race/ethnicity, maternal tobacco use, hypertension, diabetes and birth defects). To account for clustering correlation within each county, a random effect was used (PROC GLIMMIX). Using the logistical model framework, PTB was estimated for each pesticide‐use level and compared between counties at varying pesticide‐use levels. Further, such comparisons were performed between pesticide‐use levels within subpopulations stratified by the controlling covariates. In the temporal analysis, peak month (a binary variable of months, May–June vs. other months) was used in the multivariate regression model controlling for the same covariates adjusting for county clustering. The same covariates were used for the continuous outcome variable gestational age. Based on these models, means were estimated and compared geographically between pesticide‐use levels and temporally between peak vs. nonpeak pesticide‐use months for both the total population and subpopulations. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.4 software (SAS, Cary, NC, USA) package. P‐values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

Pesticide use

Pesticide use ranged from 53 646 lbs (Alpine county) to 540 057 105 lbs (Fresno County). Total pesticide use was categorised by terciles for low (19 counties; 53 646–4 935 034 lbs applied), moderate (20 counties; 5 302 968–40 096 097 lbs applied) and high (19 counties; 51 188 816–540 057 105 lbs applied). Total pesticide‐use mean ± SE was higher in peak months (528 070 ± 20 549 lbs) than nonpeak months (249 960 ± 18 779 lbs) (data not shown). Total pesticide use over the 16‐year study period was 3 077 170 355 lbs (fungicides 38.56% > insecticides 23.48% > fumigants 19.07% > herbicides 9.43% > all other 9.39%). Ranking counties by total lbs or by lbs/acre did not change the results; therefore, this study presents all measures as total lbs pesticides used per county. Only county‐level birth outcomes were available from the CDC Natality Datasets; thus, only county‐level pesticide data were used.

Preterm birth

A total of 7 940 794 singleton live births from 58 California counties from 1990 to 2005 were analysed for PTB and gestational length. The mean (95% CI) PTB was 9.5% (9.4%, 9.6%) (Table 1). PTB varied significantly by maternal race (Black > Hispanic > other > White) and maternal age [(<20 years) > (>35 years) > (20–35 years)]. PTB was significantly increased in pregnancies complicated by hypertension, diabetes, tobacco or alcohol use, and birth defects (Table 1). PTB increased for each race over the study period (data not shown). PTB was significantly increased with increasing total pesticide use and for increasing pesticide‐use type (Table 2).

Table 1.

Demographic and preterm risk factors

Risk factor Category Total N Preterm births
Cases Incidence (95% CI)
All All 7 940 794 754 375 9.5 (9.4, 9.6)
Race/ethnicity Hispanic 3 695 641 362 173 9.8 (9.7, 9.9)
White 2 771 158 238 320 8.6 (8.5, 8.7)
Black 532 456 77 206 14.5 (14.3, 14.7)
Other 941 539 85 680 9.1 (9.0, 9.2)
Age (years) <20 867 299 89 332 10.3 (9.7, 11.0)
20–35 6 151 861 485 997 7.9 (7.6, 8.2)
>35 858 075 79 801 9.3 (8.7, 10.0)
Hypertension Yes 178 722 43 787 24.5 (24.0, 25.0)
No 7 698 513 700 565 9.1 (9.1, 9.2)
Diabetes Yes 161 759 21 837 13.5 (13.2, 13.7)
No 7 779 035 731 229 9.4 (9.3, 9.5)
Tobacco Yes 1201 259 21.6 (19.1, 24.2)
No 7 939 593 754 261 9.5 (9.4, 9.6)
Alcohol Yes 407 103 25.4 (20.7, 30.2)
No 7 940 387 754 337 9.5 (9.4, 9.6)
Birth defect Yes 51 168 9978 19.5 (17.9, 21.2)
No 7 889 626 646 949 8.2 (7.9, 8.5)
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Table 2.

Preterm birth and gestational length by county fumigant, fungicide, herbicide and insecticide use

Pesticide‐use type Statistics Pesticide‐use rank Incidence preterm birth (%) Mean gestation (weeks)
Fumigant Mean ± SE Low 8.71 ± 0.10 39.181 ± 0.014
Mod 9.43 ± 0.07 39.132 ± 0.011
High 9.81 ± 0.06 39.052 ± 0.011
p‐Value Low vs. Mod <0.001 0.005
Low vs. High <0.001 <0.001
Med vs. High <0.001 <0.001
Fungicide Mean ± SE Low 8.66 ± 0.10 39.192 ± 0.014
Mod 9.50 ± 0.07 39.089 ± 0.011
High 9.81 ± 0.07 39.084 ± 0.011
p‐Value Low vs. Mod <0.001 <0.001
Low vs. High <0.001 <0.001
Med vs. High 0.001 0.744
Herbicide Mean ± SE Low 8.74 ± 0.10 39.159 ± 0.014
Mod 9.18 ± 0.06 39.145 ± 0.011
High 10.12 ± 0.06 39.048 ± 0.011
p‐Value Low vs. Mod <0.001 0.404
Low vs. High <0.001 <0.001
Med vs. High <0.001 0.000
Insecticide Mean ± SE Low 8.64 ± 0.10 39.205 ± 0.014
Mod 8.99 ± 0.06 39.137 ± 0.010
High 10.25 ± 0.06 39.033 ± 0.010
p‐Value Low vs. Mod 0.003 <0.001
Low vs. High <0.001 <0.001
Med vs. High <0.001 <0.001
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PTB rates were lower in low (8.59 ± 0.11%) than in moderate (9.25 ± 0.07%) and high pesticide‐use counties (10.0 ± 0.06%) p's < 0.001 (Table 3). Births in counties with low vs. high and moderate vs. high pesticide use were significantly more likely to be preterm in Hispanics and Whites, but similar trends did not reach significance for Blacks (Table 3). Trends for increasing PTB with increasing pesticide use remained significant after hypertension, and diabetes, tobacco or alcohol use was excluded. Three levels of preterm birth (≤36, ≤33, ≤27 weeks) were separately analysed for counties of low, moderate and high pesticide use (Table 3). This was performed to establish whether pesticide use influences differing degrees of prematurity, where extreme prematurity (≤27 weeks) would have the greatest clinical impact. Associations remained significant for <33 and <27‐week preterm births. All comparisons between low vs. high and moderate vs. high pesticide‐use counties were significant for all preterm birth levels for Whites and Hispanics. Blacks in high pesticide‐use counties were more likely to be ≤33 weeks premature than in low and moderate pesticide‐use counties (Table 3). Pesticides were significantly associated with PTB: slope (SE) = 0.25(0.05), r + 0.53, p < 0.001 (Fig. 1A).

Table 3.

Preterm birth by county pesticide use

Gestation Population/subpopulation Category Preterm birth per 10 000 live births
Mean ± SE Low (L) Mean ± SE Moderate (M) Mean ± SE High (H) p‐Value L vs. M p‐Value L vs. H p‐Value M vs. H
≤36 weeks All 8.59 ± 0.11 9.25 ± 0.07 10.00 ± 0.06 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
No risk factorsa 8.12 ± 0.11 8.83 ± 0.07 9.68 ± 0.06 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Maternal age <20 10.07 ± 0.22 11.28 ± 0.10 11.95 ± 0.08 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
20–35 8.21 ± 0.11 8.84 ± 0.07 9.54 ± 0.06 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
>35 10.23 ± 0.21 11.28 ± 0.11 12.24 ± 0.11 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Race/ethnicity Hispanic 9.15 ± 0.18 9.43 ± 0.08 10.26 ± 0.06 0.149 <0.001 <0.001
White 8.20 ± 0.10 8.39 ± 0.07 8.90 ± 0.07 0.123 <0.001 <0.001
Black 13.93 ± 0.50 14.23 ± 0.14 14.90 ± 0.14 0.563 0.062 0.001
Hypertension Yes 21.71 ± 0.63 24.87 ± 0.37 25.02 ± 0.35 <0.001 <0.001 0.768
No 8.22 ± 0.11 8.90 ± 0.07 9.73 ± 0.06 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Diabetes Yes 13.03 ± 0.45 13.51 ± 0.18 13.48 ± 0.18 0.328 0.347 0.933
No 8.50 ± 0.11 9.16 ± 0.07 9.94 ± 0.06 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Tobacco Yes 25.84 ± 2.47 22.44 ± 2.07 17.29 ± 2.10 0.291 0.009 0.082
No 8.56 ± 0.11 9.25 ± 0.07 10.00 ± 0.06 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Alcohol Yes 15.63 ± 5.78 25.21 ± 3.85 29.85 ± 3.75 0.170 0.040 0.389
No 8.59 ± 0.11 9.25 ± 0.07 10.00 ± 0.06 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
≤33 weeks All 2.12 ± 0.04 2.42 ± 0.02 2.67 ± 0.02 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
No risk factorsa 1.94 ± 0.05 2.26 ± 0.03 2.55 ± 0.02 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Maternal age <20 2.72 ± 0.12 3.32 ± 0.04 3.52 ± 0.04 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
20–35 1.98 ± 0.05 2.25 ± 0.02 2.48 ± 0.02 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
>35 2.63 ± 0.10 3.05 ± 0.05 3.38 ± 0.05 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Race/ethnicity Hispanic 2.22 ± 0.08 2.45 ± 0.03 2.73 ± 0.02 0.006 <0.001 <0.001
White 1.99 ± 0.04 2.10 ± 0.02 2.26 ± 0.02 0.031 <0.001 <0.001
Black 4.31 ± 0.28 4.79 ± 0.07 5.06 ± 0.07 0.100 0.010 0.009
Hypertension Yes 6.99 ± 0.36 8.52 ± 0.20 8.42 ± 0.19 <0.001 <0.001 0.717
No 1.98 ± 0.04 2.28 ± 0.03 2.56 ± 0.02 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Diabetes Yes 3.37 ± 0.24 3.44 ± 0.09 3.30 ± 0.09 0.772 0.776 0.245
No 2.09 ± 0.04 2.40 ± 0.02 2.66 ± 0.02 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Tobacco Yes 12.21 ± 1.93 9.79 ± 1.71 8.67 ± 1.73 0.348 0.172 0.646
No 2.10 ± 0.04 2.42 ± 0.02 2.67 ± 0.02 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Alcohol Yes 6.86 ± 4.65 14.10 ± 3.19 16.24 ± 3.12 0.201 0.096 0.632
No 2.12 ± 0.04 2.42 ± 0.02 2.67 ± 0.02 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
≤27 weeks All 0.27 ± 0.01 0.33 ± 0.01 0.36 ± 0.00 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
No risk factorsa 0.26 ± 0.01 0.32 ± 0.01 0.35 ± 0.00 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Maternal age <20 0.37 ± 0.04 0.48 ± 0.01 0.46 ± 0.01 0.011 0.021 0.413
20–35 0.24 ± 0.01 0.31 ± 0.01 0.34 ± 0.01 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
>35 0.37 ± 0.03 0.40 ± 0.01 0.49 ± 0.01 0.428 0.001 <0.001
Race/ethnicity Hispanic 0.27 ± 0.02 0.32 ± 0.01 0.35 ± 0.01 0.054 0.001 <0.001
White 0.25 ± 0.01 0.27 ± 0.01 0.31 ± 0.01 0.240 0.001 <0.001
Black 0.80 ± 0.11 0.90 ± 0.02 0.94 ± 0.02 0.401 0.250 0.244
Hypertension Yes 0.72 ± 0.10 0.93 ± 0.04 1.01 ± 0.04 0.063 0.010 0.198
No 0.26 ± 0.01 0.32 ± 0.01 0.35 ± 0.00 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Diabetes Yes 0.28 ± 0.07 0.29 ± 0.03 0.34 ± 0.02 0.868 0.441 0.200
No 0.27 ± 0.01 0.33 ± 0.01 0.36 ± 0.00 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Tobacco Yes 0.65 ± 0.74 2.43 ± 0.61 1.58 ± 0.62 0.065 0.337 0.326
No 0.27 ± 0.01 0.33 ± 0.01 0.36 ± 0.00 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Alcohol Yes 0.00 ± 1.45 1.84 ± 0.90 1.62 ± 0.84 0.282 0.334 0.860
No 0.27 ± 0.01 0.33 ± 0.01 0.36 ± 0.00 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
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a

Excludes risk factors: hypertension, alcohol, tobacco and diabetes.

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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(A) County preterm birth rates versus county pesticide use in California. (B) County gestational lengths versus county pesticide use in California.

PTB (≤36 weeks) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the months of peak pesticide use (10.01 ± 0.05%) vs. nonpeak months (9.36 ± 0.05%) (Table 4). PTB was likewise higher for ≤33 and ≤27 weeks for all races in peak vs. nonpeak months. Mothers with or without hypertension and diabetes were more likely to have preterm births in peak vs. nonpeak months. Pregnancies without reported tobacco or alcohol use were more likely to have preterm births in peak vs. nonpeak months (p < 0.001), but tobacco‐ or alcohol‐use pregnancies did not show significant differences in peak vs. nonpeak months in <36 and <33‐week PTB. Pregnancies with alcohol or tobacco use were more likely to have PTB at <27 weeks in peak vs. nonpeak pesticide months (Table 4).

Table 4.

Preterm birth by peak and nonpeak pesticide use

Gestation Population/subpopulation Category Preterm birth per 10 000 live births
(I) Mean ± SE May and June (II) Mean ± SE Other months p‐Value (I) vs. (II)
≤36 weeks All 10.01 ± 0.05 9.36 ± 0.05 <0.001
No risk factorsa 9.61 ± 0.06 8.97 ± 0.05 <0.001
Maternal age <20 11.34 ± 0.07 1.60 ± 0.02 <0.001
20–35 12.48 ± 0.10 1.80 ± 0.04 <0.001
>35 8.95 ± 0.05 1.15 ± 0.01 <0.001
Race/ethnicity Hispanic 10.62 ± 0.06 9.68 ± 0.05 <0.001
White 8.84 ± 0.06 8.52 ± 0.05 <0.001
Black 15.50 ± 0.15 14.32 ± 0.10 <0.001
Hypertension Yes 25.07 ± 0.34 24.37 ± 0.24 0.015
No 9.68 ± 0.06 9.04 ± 0.05 <0.001
Diabetes Yes 14.16 ± 0.24 13.33 ± 0.13 0.001
No 9.93 ± 0.05 9.28 ± 0.05 <0.001
Tobacco Yes 22.07 ± 3.06 21.52 ± 1.41 0.868
No 10.00 ± 0.05 9.35 ± 0.05 <0.001
Alcohol Yes 25.81 ± 5.34 25.37 ± 2.60 0.939
No 10.01 ± 0.05 9.36 ± 0.05 <0.001
≤33 weeks All 2.74 ± 0.02 2.45 ± 0.02 <0.001
No risk factorsa 2.59 ± 0.02 2.30 ± 0.02 <0.001
Maternal age <20 0.96 ± 0.01 2.55 ± 0.02 <0.001
20–35 1.17 ± 0.02 3.10 ± 0.04 <0.001
>35 1.26 ± 0.03 3.37 ± 0.06 <0.001
Race/ethnicity Hispanic 2.95 ± 0.03 2.52 ± 0.02 <0.001
White 2.25 ± 0.03 2.14 ± 0.02 <0.001
Black 5.30 ± 0.09 4.81 ± 0.05 <0.001
Hypertension Yes 8.79 ± 0.20 8.18 ± 0.13 0.001
No 2.60 ± 0.02 2.32 ± 0.02 <0.001
Diabetes Yes 3.66 ± 0.13 3.31 ± 0.06 0.007
No 2.72 ± 0.02 2.43 ± 0.02 <0.001
Tobacco Yes 13.20 ± 2.20 9.46 ± 1.09 0.107
No 2.74 ± 0.02 2.44 ± 0.02 <0.001
Alcohol Yes 18.12 ± 4.21 12.73 ± 2.15 0.226
No 2.74 ± 0.02 2.45 ± 0.02 <0.001
≤27 weeks All 0.38 ± 0.01 0.33 ± 0.00 <0.001
No risk factorsa 0.36 ± 0.01 0.32 ± 0.00 <0.001
Maternal age <20 9.57 ± 0.05 1.26 ± 0.01 <0.001
20–35 11.50 ± 0.08 1.53 ± 0.02 <0.001
>35 11.95 ± 0.12 1.66 ± 0.04 <0.001
Race/ethnicity Hispanic 0.37 ± 0.01 0.33 ± 0.00 <0.001
White 0.30 ± 0.01 0.28 ± 0.00 0.037
Black 1.03 ± 0.03 0.89 ± 0.02 <0.001
Hypertension Yes 1.00 ± 0.06 0.93 ± 0.03 0.244
No 0.36 ± 0.01 0.32 ± 0.00 <0.001
Diabetes Yes 0.38 ± 0.04 0.30 ± 0.02 0.062
No 0.38 ± 0.01 0.33 ± 0.00 <0.001
Tobacco Yes 3.63 ± 0.93 1.29 ± 0.41 0.022
No 0.37 ± 0.01 0.33 ± 0.00 <0.001
Alcohol Yes 4.34 ± 1.35 0.87 ± 0.62 0.020
No 0.37 ± 0.01 0.33 ± 0.00 <0.001
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a

Excludes risk factors: hypertension, alcohol, tobacco and diabetes.

Gestational length

The overall mean ± SE gestation was 39.0 ± 0.002 weeks among all births in all counties. Counties with low pesticide use had significantly longer gestations than moderate or high pesticide use (p < 0.001); mean ± SE was 39.197 ± 0.014; 39.126 ± 0.011; and 39.049 ± 0.011 weeks, respectively (Table 5). For all races, county pesticide‐use comparisons of low vs. high and moderate vs. high were significant. Low vs. moderate pesticide‐use comparisons by race was not significant except for Blacks. Generally, no significant trends were found when gestations were compared with county pesticide use in pregnancies complicated by diabetes, tobacco and alcohol use. However, in pregnancies with hypertension, low vs. high and low vs. moderate comparisons were significant. In mothers without diabetes, tobacco or alcohol use, newborns had longer gestations in lower vs. higher pesticide‐use counties, (low 39.248 ± 0.014 weeks; moderate 39.170 ± 0.011 weeks; and high 39.086 ± 0.010 weeks) (Table 5). When only term babies (≥37 weeks) were analysed, gestational length was significantly shorter in low vs. high and moderate vs. high infants. The effect was only significant in White mothers and pregnancies without hypertension, diabetes, tobacco and alcohol.

Table 5.

Gestational length by county pesticide use

Gestation Population/subpopulation Category Gestational length
Mean ± SE Low (L) Mean ± SE Moderate (M) Mean ± SE High (H) p‐Value L vs. M p‐Value L vs. H p‐Value M vs. H
All gestations All 39.197 ± 0.014 39.126 ± 0.011 39.049 ± 0.011 0.000 0.000 <0.001
No risk factorsa 39.248 ± 0.014 39.170 ± 0.011 39.086 ± 0.010 0.000 0.000 <0.001
Maternal age <20 39.287 ± 0.023 39.105 ± 0.013 39.018 ± 0.011 0.000 0.000 <0.001
20–35 39.227 ± 0.014 39.166 ± 0.011 39.093 ± 0.010 0.001 0.000 <0.001
>35 38.880 ± 0.022 38.760 ± 0.014 38.683 ± 0.013 0.000 0.000 <0.001
Race/ethnicity Hispanic 39.095 ± 0.020 39.120 ± 0.011 39.046 ± 0.009 0.280 0.025 <0.001
White 39.235 ± 0.015 39.214 ± 0.012 39.141 ± 0.012 0.288 0.000 <0.001
Black 38.707 ± 0.045 38.603 ± 0.014 38.533 ± 0.014 0.028 0.000 <0.001
Hypertension Yes 38.125 ± 0.049 37.869 ± 0.031 37.853 ± 0.029 0.000 0.000 0.716
No 39.233 ± 0.014 39.159 ± 0.011 39.079 ± 0.010 0.000 0.000 <0.001
Diabetes Yes 38.567 ± 0.036 38.553 ± 0.017 38.575 ± 0.016 0.715 0.840 0.330
No 39.209 ± 0.014 39.137 ± 0.011 39.059 ± 0.011 0.000 0.000 <0.001
Tobacco Yes 37.998 ± 0.230 38.211 ± 0.198 38.322 ± 0.201 0.485 0.290 0.693
No 39.202 ± 0.014 39.126 ± 0.011 39.050 ± 0.011 0.000 0.000 <0.001
Alcohol Yes 38.779 ± 0.493 37.888 ± 0.320 37.485 ± 0.308 0.132 0.027 0.365
No 39.198 ± 0.014 39.126 ± 0.011 39.049 ± 0.011 0.000 0.000 <0.001
≥37 weeks All 39.691 ± 0.012 39.667 ± 0.010 39.636 ± 0.010 0.125 0.000 0.025
No risk factorsa 39.713 ± 0.012 39.684 ± 0.010 39.650 ± 0.010 0.075 0.000 0.014
Maternal age <20 39.906 ± 0.019 39.811 ± 0.012 39.753 ± 0.011 0.000 0.000 <0.001
20–35 39.692 ± 0.012 39.674 ± 0.010 39.643 ± 0.009 0.250 0.001 0.020
>35 39.446 ± 0.016 39.391 ± 0.010 39.366 ± 0.009 0.003 0.000 0.075
Race/ethnicity Hispanic 39.617 ± 0.016 39.668 ± 0.009 39.646 ± 0.009 0.007 0.119 0.078
White 39.710 ± 0.013 39.701 ± 0.011 39.658 ± 0.011 0.609 0.003 0.006
Black 39.571 ± 0.032 39.527 ± 0.012 39.508 ± 0.011 0.188 0.060 0.248
Hypertension Yes 39.249 ± 0.027 39.218 ± 0.016 39.251 ± 0.015 0.316 0.943 0.125
No 39.705 ± 0.012 39.678 ± 0.010 39.644 ± 0.010 0.087 0.000 0.015
Diabetes Yes 39.229 ± 0.026 39.253 ± 0.012 39.272 ± 0.011 0.410 0.125 0.237
No 39.700 ± 0.012 39.675 ± 0.010 39.643 ± 0.010 0.108 0.000 0.023
Tobacco Yes 39.789 ± 0.131 39.872 ± 0.105 39.621 ± 0.103 0.619 0.316 0.089
No 39.691 ± 0.012 39.667 ± 0.010 39.636 ± 0.010 0.124 0.000 0.025
Alcohol Yes 40.062 ± 0.262 39.529 ± 0.174 39.636 ± 0.168 0.093 0.174 0.659
No 39.691 ± 0.012 39.667 ± 0.010 39.636 ± 0.010 0.129 0.000 0.025
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a

Excludes risk factors: hypertension, alcohol, tobacco and diabetes.

Gestations were significantly shorter (p < 0.001) for babies born in the peak pesticide months (39.069 ± 0.007) compared with nonpeak months (39.122 ± 0.007) (Table 6). Shortened gestations in peak months were significant for all races, and in pregnancies with maternal hypertension and maternal diabetes. Mothers with reported use of alcohol or tobacco had no difference in gestations in peak vs. nonpeak months (Table 6). When term infants were analysed, gestations remained significantly shorter for peak vs. nonpeak months except in high‐risk groups (>35 years of age, hypertension, diabetes, alcohol and tobacco use) (Table 6). Pesticides were significantly associated with shortened gestation: slope (SE) = 0.027(0.008), r + 0.41, p = 0.002 (Fig. 1B).

Table 6.

Gestational length by peak and nonpeak pesticide use

Gestation Population/subpopulation Category Gestational length
(I) Mean ± SE May and June (II) Mean ± SE Other months p‐Value (I) vs. (II)
All gestation All 39.069 ± 0.007 39.122 ± 0.007 <0.001
No risk factorsa 39.022 ± 0.007 39.093 ± 0.007 <0.001
Maternal age <20 39.015 ± 0.011 39.104 ± 0.009 <0.001
20–35 39.108 ± 0.007 39.159 ± 0.007 <0.001
>35 38.717 ± 0.011 38.751 ± 0.009 <0.001
Race/ethnicity Hispanic 39.112 ± 0.007 39.164 ± 0.007 <0.001
White 39.167 ± 0.008 39.196 ± 0.008 <0.001
Black 38.495 ± 0.014 38.593 ± 0.010 <0.001
Hypertension Yes 37.856 ± 0.026 37.913 ± 0.020 0.006
No 39.102 ± 0.007 39.154 ± 0.007 <0.001
Diabetes Yes 38.510 ± 0.018 38.575 ± 0.011 <0.001
No 39.080 ± 0.007 39.132 ± 0.007 <0.001
Tobacco Yes 37.818 ± 0.275 38.264 ± 0.129 0.130
No 39.070 ± 0.007 39.123 ± 0.007 <0.001
Alcohol Yes 37.701 ± 0.461 37.898 ± 0.215 0.696
No 39.069 ± 0.007 39.122 ± 0.007 <0.001
≥37 weeks All 39.655 ± 0.006 39.663 ± 0.006 <0.001
No risk factorsa 39.671 ± 0.006 39.680 ± 0.006 <0.001
Maternal age <20 39.790 ± 0.009 39.803 ± 0.008 0.017
20–35 39.659 ± 0.006 39.667 ± 0.006 <0.001
>35 39.388 ± 0.008 39.390 ± 0.006 0.678
Race/ethnicity Hispanic 39.646 ± 0.006 39.652 ± 0.006 0.050
White 39.678 ± 0.007 39.689 ± 0.007 <0.001
Black 39.508 ± 0.010 39.522 ± 0.008 0.059
Hypertension Yes 39.243 ± 0.015 39.236 ± 0.010 0.599
No 39.665 ± 0.006 39.673 ± 0.006 <0.001
Diabetes Yes 39.249 ± 0.013 39.262 ± 0.008 0.282
No 39.662 ± 0.006 39.670 ± 0.006 <0.001
Tobacco Yes 39.616 ± 0.161 39.781 ± 0.070 0.347
No 39.654 ± 0.006 39.663 ± 0.006 <0.001
Alcohol Yes 40.023 ± 0.261 39.596 ± 0.120 0.138
No 39.654 ± 0.006 39.663 ± 0.006 <0.001
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a

Excludes risk factors: hypertension, alcohol, tobacco and diabetes.

Pesticide type

Counties were ranked by pesticide type: fungicides, insecticides, fumigants, herbicides, and others. PTB and gestational length were compared between low, moderate and high pesticide‐use counties. Each individual pesticide type was found to be significantly correlated with PTB and gestational length. All low vs. high comparisons were significant (p < 0.001), and all moderate vs. high comparisons were significant except for fungicides. Thus, whether ranked by total pesticides or by individual pesticide type, pesticide use in maternal county of residence predicted higher PTB rate and shorter gestational length in higher pesticide‐use counties (Table 2).

Metro areas

Counties were analysed as small, medium or large metropolitan (mostly rural to mostly urban). PTB was significantly higher in high pesticide‐use counties (small 9.81 ± 0.10, medium 10.78 ± 0.12, large 9.72 ± 0.10) vs. low pesticide‐use counties (small 8.95 ± 0.20, medium 8.66 ± 0.13, large 8.86 ± 0.11) within each metro category (p < 0.001). Pesticide use within metro areas had variable effects on gestational length. Only in medium metro counties was gestational length in low pesticide counties significantly longer than in high pesticide counties (low 39.183 ± 0.021, high 38.990 ± 0.02, p < 0.001) (data not shown).

When San Francisco and Los Angeles counties (the two largest metro areas) were excluded, higher PTB (low 8.60 ± 0.11, mod 9.24 ± 0.07, high 9.97 ± 0.07) and shorter gestations (low 39.197 ± 0.014, mod 39.134 ± 0.011, high 39.058 ± 0.011) in lower to higher pesticide‐use counties remained significant (p < 0.001) (data not shown).

Summary

Pesticide use in maternal county of residence was associated with higher PTB rates and shorter gestations (Fig. 2A and B). Peak pesticide months were associated with greater PTB and shorter gestations within moderate and high pesticide‐use counties (Fig. 2A and B).

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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(A) Monthly preterm birth and total pesticide use in low, moderate and high pesticide‐use counties. (B) Monthly gestational age and total pesticide use in low, moderate and high pesticide‐use counties.

Discussion

This study found increased PTB and shortened gestation with increasing pesticide use geographically in maternal county of residence and temporally in peak pesticide‐use months. Babies born in peak pesticide months were more likely to be preterm and have shorter gestations (Table 5, Fig. 2A and B).

The association between prenatal exposure and foetal growth or gestational duration in humans has been reviewed 6. Organophosphate pesticides, especially at the end of pregnancy, significantly correlated with shortened gestation in a population of Latina women in the Salinas Valley, California 6. As this population had relatively low PTB, the authors concluded that the association between shortened gestation and pesticides ‘did not seem to have clinical implications for this (Latina) population.’ Women with hypertension, diabetes, twins and prior stillbirths were excluded 6.

In another study, male exposure to combinations of activities with a variety of pesticides [atrazine, glyphosate, organophosphates, 4‐(2,4‐dichlorophenoxy) butyric acid and insecticides] was associated with odds ratios of two or greater for preterm delivery 10.

Additional studies have correlated urinary biomarkers of pesticide exposure with PTB and shortened gestation 11, 12, 13. Pesticides have been linked to altered cholinesterase enzyme expression and endocrine disruption 6, 13, 14. Pesticides such as vinclozolin, methoxychlor, permethrin and the insect repellant DEET can alter DNA methylation and cause transgenerational effects in rodents 15, 16, 17.

In our study, pesticide exposure was estimated with geospatial and temporal California PUR data. Other studies in California correlated urinary organophosphate pesticide levels with season and location of exposure 18, which suggests that the California PUR data (while not as definitive as biomarker data) will likely correlate with population exposure.

This study has several limitations. Increasing risk with increasing exposure may result from other unmeasured variables. Risk factors such as poverty, air pollution and nitrates might be correlated with pesticide use in California counties.

An approximate increase in PTB by 16% and shorter gestations by 0.135%, though statistically significant, might be interpreted as clinically insignificant. This increased PTB represents 112 000 more infants at risk of hospitalisation, mortality and morbidity in the California population. After controlling for risk factors, county pesticide exposure increased the risk of having a <27‐week preterm infant by 35%. These infants have the highest mortality and morbidity of all preterm infants. The average 25‐ to 26‐week preterm will require ~100 days of NICU care (costing between $350 000 and $800 000 per baby). Foetal and developmental origins of adult disease research suggested that the life‐time risks of preterm birth may be underestimated 19. Prematurity has adverse effects on basic mathematic processing following birth at all gestations <36 weeks and on IQ and mathematic attainment <34 weeks GA 20. Global methylation across multiple organs has been reported in pregnancies with differing gestations 21. Through epigenetic mechanisms, pesticide exposure in pregnancy may alter lifetime risks of diseases. Epidemiological studies have already reported shorter life spans in Americans with birth months in peak pesticide months of May and June 22.

Many preterm birth risk factors were confirmed by this study. Maternal race, age, maternal hypertension, diabetes, tobacco or alcohol use, and infants with birth defects are known to be associated with preterm birth. In pregnancies with hypertension and diabetes, PTB were higher in peak vs. nonpeak pesticide months.

In conclusion, PTB and shortened gestation were found to be significantly related to pesticide use in maternal county of residence and to peak pesticide months. These geotemporal data suggest that pesticide exposure shortens the length of gestation and increases preterm birth risk across most demographic groups.

Disclaimers

The views expressed in this article are that of the authors and not that of the institution or data providers.

Source(s) of support

Unfunded.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no financial conflict of interest.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Indiana University School of Medicine and Franciscan St. Francis Health for their support.

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Articles from Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992) are provided here courtesy of Wiley

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