Tobacco Induced Diseases (Aug 2025)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure as a potential risk factor for miscarriage among women in the United States: A secondary dataset analysis of NHANES data for the period 2005–2014

  • Xiaoxing Liu,
  • Yanmei Li,
  • Na Chen,
  • Jianshuang Ma,
  • Yujuan Xing,
  • Fengxia Miao

DOI
https://doi.org/10.18332/tid/205903
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 23, no. August
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Introduction Numerous studies have shown that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are endocrine disruptors associated with reproduction, with tobacco smoke identified as a major non-occupational source of PAH exposure. However, there is still a lack of information on the relationship between PAH exposure – particularly from tobacco-related sources – and miscarriage. Methods The data for this study were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2014. Excluding populations with missing PAH, miscarriage, or baseline information, a total of 2573 individuals were included in this study. Logistic regression, linear regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis and subgroup analysis were used to analyze the effects of PAHs. Results Following logistic and linear regression analyses, we found that higher concentrations of 2-hydroxynaphthalene, 3-hydroxyfluorene, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, and 1-hydroxypyrene were associated with miscarriage (p 1). Moreover, after RCS, we found a nonlinear relationship between 1-hydroxynaphthalene and miscarriage (p=0.01). The relationship between 1-hydroxynaphthalene and miscarriage could be described as an ‘n-shaped’ curve, with a cutoff value (4705 ng/L). At concentrations lower than the cutoff, there was a positive correlation between 1-hydroxynaphthalene and miscarriage. Conversely, at concentrations higher than the cutoff, there was a negative correlation between the two variables. Finally, a subgroup analysis was performed to explore the interaction effect of confounders with the outcome variables, to further demonstrate the robustness of the results. Conclusions The probability of miscarriage increases with increasing concentration of certain PAHs in the body. Enhancing monitoring of tobacco-related PAHs exposure is highly important for the prevention of miscarriage.

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