Dr. Jun Tu published a new article in Environment International

KENNESAW, Ga. (Apr 21, 2016) — Dr. Jun Tu just published a new article in Environment International, a prestigious journal in the field of Environmental Science and Health. The title of this paper is: Spatial variations in the associations of term birth weight with ambient air pollution in Georgia, USA. This study explores how the associations of infant's birth weight with ambient air pollutants (Ozone and PM2.5) change across space in the state of Georgia. This study extends the application of geographically weighted regression (GWR) to birth outcomes and air pollution research. It finds that the relationships between birth weight and air pollutants vary over space in response to the socioeconomic and urban characteristics of communities. Ozone is a significant risk factor of LBW (Low Birth Weight) mainly in less-urbanized communities. PM2.5 is a significant risk factor of LBW in more-urbanized communities with higher family income and education attainment. This study suggests that targeting specific air pollutant at a local level is more likely to reduce the risk of LBW.

Please read the details from this link:

 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412016301350

This study was partially supported by the 2015 Faculty Summer Research Grant from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at KSU.