Birth defects higher in areas with mountaintop mining

Conducted by Dr. Melissa Ahern at Washington State University, Dr. Michael Hendryx and other researchers at West Virginia University, the research finds significantly higher rates of birth defects in mountaintop removal coal mining (MTM) areas compared to non-mining areas in Appalachia, for six of seven types of defects.

"This study shows that places where the environment – the earth, air and water – has undergone the greatest disturbance from mining are also the places where birth defect rates are the highest,â€ said Dr. Melissa Ahern, one of the researchers and co-authors of the study.  "This is evidence that mountaintop mining practices may cause health impacts on people living in those areas, before they are even born.â€

The study was based on analysis of over 1.8 million birth records between 1996 and 2003 in central Appalachia.  Prevalence rates were higher in mountaintop mining areas compared to non-mining areas for circulatory/respiratory, central nervous system, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, urogenital, and ‘other’ types of defects. Spatial correlation between mountaintop mining and birth defects was also present, indicating that mountaintop mining in one county may have increased birth defect prevalence rates in surrounding counties.

"This is the most disturbing research that I’ve yet seen on the effects of mountaintop removal. It means that our mountain children are affected by the poisoned streams and polluted air even before they are born,â€ said KFTC member Beverly May, a nurse practitioner serving in eastern Kentucky. "Our children deserve a better chance at life.â€

The study showed that mountaintop removal mining effects became more pronounced in the latter years of the study (2000-2003) vs. earlier years (1996-1999).

The rate was 26% higher in mountaintop mining areas than in non-mining areas, after adjusted for other socio-economic factors. In the later period studied, the rate was actually 42% higher.

Co-author Dr. Michael Hendryx said, "This study extends previous research on low birth weight and on adult morbidity and mortality in coal mining areas, and offers one of the first indications that health problems are disproportionately concentrated specifically in MTM areas.  It’s significant not only to people who live in coalfields but to policy makers as well.â€

The study, titled The Association between Mountaintop Mining and Birth Defects among Live Births in Central Appalachia, 1996-2003, was published online in the Environmental Research journal.

Download a copy of the study

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