Mothers who live near oil and gas development are at a 40 to 70 percent higher chance of having a child with a birth defect like congenital heart defects and higher pulmonary artery and valve defects, according to a new study found in Environment International. The rate of this type of activity correlated to whether the children were born with this defect.
About the Study
Researchers from the Colorado School of Public Health analyzed 3,324 pairs of mothers and infants who were born in Colorado between 2005 and 2011. They combed through data provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Center for Health and Environmental Data. Researchers excluded siblings in studies. The mothers lived in 34 Colorado counties from 2004 to 2011 with 20 or more wells drilled, which represented areas of intense oil and gas activity and incorporated hydraulic fracturing and directional drilling.
Researchers used the Colorado Responds to Children with Special Needs birth defects registry to select cases, who are identified by hospital records, physicians, genetic organizations and others. The children involved in the study had one of the following defects:
- Pulmonary artery and valve defects
- Aortic artery and valve defects
- Conotruncal defects
- Tricuspid valve defects
This allowed researchers to increase the statistical power of results and to provide comparisons with previous studies.
About Congenital Heart Defects
Congenital heart defects are the most common form of birth defect in the United States and have an infant mortality rate of 41.46 per 100,000 live births. Colorado’s rate of 18.9 deaths for congenital heart defects is more than twice the national average mortality rate for the same cause. Congenital heart defects are the birth defect that is most responsible for infant mortalities. Infants who have congenital heart defects are less likely to thrive, are more likely to experience developmental problems and are more vulnerable to brain injury.
Children who do survive into adulthood are more likely to suffer serious medical conditions, including:
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Anticoagulation
- Congestive heart failure
- Arrhythmias
- Ineffective endocarditis
1.5 million Americans have a congenital heart defect. One-third of these require lifelong specialized care. Death and disability rates increase significantly after reaching 30 years of age.
Less than 20 percent of congenital heart defects are attributed to genetic sources. Animal studies show that congenital heart defects can arise with a single environmental exposure during early gestation. A variety of studies have shown risk factors associated with congenital heart defects to include maternal exposures to benzene, diesel exhaust and stress.
Study Findings
The researchers found that children born with a congenital heart defect at higher rates when they lived in areas with the highest intensity of oil and gas well activity. The defects were present whether the activity in question was hydraulic fracturing, production or well-drilling
The researchers found higher pulmonary artery and valve defect rates in areas with oil and gas activity. Congenital heart defect prevalence was highest in rural areas with oil and gas activity, Additionally, there was a higher prevalence of aortic artery and valve defects, conotruncal defects and tricuspid valve defects in rural oil and gas activity areas.
17 million people in the United States and 6% of Colorado residents live within a mile of an active oil and gas well site, which potentially places them at danger of exposure.
The study did not find a conclusive reason for the nexus between birth defects and oil activity as this was outside the scope of the study. However, the lead researcher said that the nature of oil and gas development or emissions associated with this work may be placing children at higher risk.
The researchers believe that they established a connection between oil and gas sites and the occurrence of congenital heart defects. They also believe it is important to continue to conduct rigorous research o the potential health consequences of being exposed to oil and gas activities early in life.
Legal Assistance for Victims
Individuals who live near corporations that produce extensive pollution or commit environmental protection violations may be able to seek compensation for the damages they sustain through a toxic tort lawsuit. An experienced lawyer can discuss the legal options available based on certain circumstances.
