Risk of congenital anomalies near the Byker waste combustion plant

Background The aim of this study was to determine whether the risk of congenital anomalies in a population resident close to a waste combustion plant located at Byker in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, was higher than in a population resident further away. Methods A geographical stu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of public health (Oxford, England) England), 2003-09, Vol.25 (3), p.237-242
Main Authors: Cresswell, P. A., Scott, J. E. S., Pattenden, S., Vrijheid, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air Pollutants - adverse effects
Byker
Chi-Square Distribution
Congenital Abnormalities - epidemiology
Congenital Abnormalities - etiology
Congenital abnormality
congenital anomalies
England
England - epidemiology
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Newborn babies
Newcastle upon Tyne
Prevalence
Refuse Disposal
Residential proximity
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
waste combustion
Waste incinerators
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Summary:Background The aim of this study was to determine whether the risk of congenital anomalies in a population resident close to a waste combustion plant located at Byker in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, was higher than in a population resident further away. Methods A geographical study was carried out on the prevalence of congenital anomalies in residents living within 3 km (inner zone) of the Byker combustion plant compared with those living 3–7 km (outer zone) from the plant. There were 81255 live births (1985–1999) and 1508 cases with chromosomal and non‐chromosomal congenital anomalies. The cases were identified from the Northern Region Congenital Abnormality Survey. Results After the site commenced operation the estimated rate ratio (inner versus outer zone) was 1.11 (95 per cent confidence interval (CI) 0.96–1.28) adjusted for socio‐economic deprivation. There was significant heterogeneity across years and an increasing trend, of marginal significance (p = 0.07), in the rate ratio. The inner zone rate approached or became significantly higher than that in the outer zone in some of the later years. Conclusions No significant overall association between the number of congenital anomalies and proximity of residence to the Byker waste combustion plant has been found in this study. Significantly increased rates near the site during the later years may suggest a possible risk but are difficult to interpret. More comprehensive, multi‐site investigations around other waste combustion plants are indicated.
ISSN:1741-3842
0957-4832
1741-3850
1464-3782
DOI:10.1093/pubmed/fdg053