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Coal-fired Power Plants & Risk Of Low Birth Weight

Living downwind of coal-fired power plant could increase risk of low birth weight

Drawing on evidence from a Pennsylvania power plant located upwind of New Jersey, a group of researchers studied live singleton births that occurred from 1990 to 2006 in the area downwind of the plant. Infants born to mothers living as far as 20 to 30 miles downwind from the power plant were 6.5 percent more likely to be born with a low birth weight and 17.12 percent more likely to be born with a very low birth weight. Ref. Source 6p.

Weight Birth Of Risk and Plants Power Coal-fired

I wonder what over environmental issues could have been involved here. Were the women smokers or drinkers? I would have to see more research from across the nation downwind of a coal fired power plant to be able to verify these results. Just taking one area you are not getting a good cross section of the nation and there could be some other factors that were not included.

Coal-fired Power Plants & Risk Of Low Birth Weight Reviews Consumer & Travel Family Culture

Sulfur Dioxide is extremely toxic, and while released in low enough quantities by modern coal plants to avoid killing people outright, it is present in notable quantities.

Studies haven't shown a link between it and birth defects, but this would be far from the first such chemical that isn't safe in repeated low level doses either.

By all means, make sure you haven't overlooked a factor, but I'd be surprised if this wasn't one.