Environment/Climate Change
Associations between Residential Proximity to Oil and Gas Development and Risk of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy in a North American Preconception Cohort Study Mary Willis* Mary Willis Fintan Mooney Martha Koenig Erin Campbell Nicole Deziel Amelia Wesselink Samantha Parker Lauren Wise
Background: The oil and gas industry continues to expand rapidly around the world. Pollution from oil and gas development includes reproductive toxicants at levels that may harm pregnant people. Although many studies find that closer residential proximity to oil and gas development is associated with worse birth outcomes, only one study to date has examined pregnancy complications, a key driver of maternal-infant health.
Methods: Using data from Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO, an Internet-based prospective preconception cohort study in the U.S and Canada), we examined associations between residential proximity to active oil and gas development in the preconception period and risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia). We calculated the distance between a participant’s geocoded address and the nearest active oil or gas development site. Among participants whose pregnancy progressed beyond 20 weeks’ gestation, we obtained self-reported and birth certificate data on diagnosis of gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia over follow-up. We implemented log-binomial regression models to estimate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs, adjusting for preconception covariates (age, parity, body mass index, and smoking).
Results: Among 6,352 pregnant participants, 12.8% (n=813) resided within 5 km of active oil or gas development. Residence within 5 km of active oil or gas development was associated with gestational hypertension (RR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.63) and preeclampsia (RR=1.50, 95% CI: 0.95, 2.37), compared with residence ≥20 km away from active oil and gas development. The magnitude of associations dissipated for participants who resided at farther buffer distances (e.g., 5-10 km, 10-15 km, 15-20 km).
Conclusion: Our preliminary results suggest that close residential proximity to oil and gas development during the preconception period is associated with higher risk of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.