Multiple Environmental Exposure in Pregnant Women and Their Children in the City of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Rio Birth Cohort Study: PIPA Project

The PIPA project is the first birth cohort study in Brazil focusing on the investigation of environmental pollutant exposure effects on child health. This program was developed in Rio de Janeiro, a highly urbanized city that encompasses a diversity of environmental and socioeconomic factors potentially harmful to human health. A pilot study was carried out between September 2017 and August 2018. This paper describes the socioeconomic environment and exposure pollutant profile of the PIPA pilot study population. The PIPA pilot study enrolled 139 pregnant women with a total of 135 (97%) births. Maternal blood (n = 139) and urine (n = 139) samples were collected between the 32nd and 38th weeks of pregnancy. Newborn umbilical cord blood (n = 125) and urine (n = 34) samples were collected at birth and during the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months of life (n = 132). Up to 75% of the study population reported a per capita income lower than US$200, 19% received governmental financial aid, and 21% were single mothers. At least 20% lived in low-income communities. Metals were observed above the limits of detection in 100% of the mother and newborn samples, while 48% and 23.5% showed detectable pyrethroid metabolite levels. Perfluoroalkyl acids were detected in approximately 80% of mother blood and urine samples and 70% of cord blood samples. At least one organochlorine compound was detected in approximately 30% of the newborn and mother samples. Pregnant women from poor communities in Rio de Janeiro and their children are exposed to several harmful pollutants.