The survey studied 9,500 landfill sites
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BMJ Abstract Objective: To
investigate the risk of adverse birth outcomes associated
with residence near landfill sites in Great Britain. What
is already known on this topic Risks up to two to three times higher have been reported These studies have been difficult to interpret because of problems of exposure classification, small sample size, confounding, and reporting bias What
this study adds By including all landfill sites in the country, we avoided the problem of selective reporting, and maximised statistical power Although we found excess risks of congenital anomalies and low birth weight near landfill sites in Great Britain, they were smaller than in some other studies Further work is needed to differentiate potential data artefacts and confounding effects from possible causal associations with landfill |
Babies born to mothers living near landfill sites are more likely to suffer minor birth defects, a study has shown.
The government-backed research also showed that 80% of the population lived within 2km of a landfill site.
The study, due to be published in the British Medical Journal on Friday, shows that pregnant women have a 1% higher risk of having a baby with a congenital defect, if they live near a landfill site.
On average 153 babies per 10,000 are born with birth defects.
But the 11-year study was unable to define what the reasons for the link were.
We are not changing our advice to pregnant women and they should continue with the recommended ante-natal programme
Dr Pat Troop
Birth defects
Dr Pat Troop, the government's deputy chief medical officer, said this could mean an extra 100 babies being born annually with defects, such as spina bifida, abdominal wall and gut problems and 2,500 more low weight babies.
Those living near landfill sites containing hazardous waste were at a 7% higher risk of having a baby with congenital defects.
But Dr Troop said that despite the concerns, the government would not be changing any of its advice to pregnant women, although they will be commissioning more detailed reports.
She said the risks to women from landfills were much less than the damage caused by smoking or alcohol.
"We cannot say there is no risk from landfill sites, but given the small numbers of congenital anomalies and the uncertainties in the findings, we are not changing our advice to pregnant women and they should continue with the recommended ante-natal programme."
But the government said it had fully briefed midwives and GPs to cope with an expected influx of calls from worried mothers.
Study reveals
The study shows:
No increase in rates of cancer in those living near the sites A 1% higher than expected risk of congenital abnormalities for those living within 2km of a landfill site - 7% higher for those living near sites containing hazardous waste A 5% greater risk of low birth weight babies, but no higher risk of stillbirths That the risk of birth defects did not increase, and in some cases reduced, after the landfill sites were opened in some areas. Professor Charles Rodeck, a professor in foetal medicine at University College, London, said women should be more concerned about the impact of smoking on the unborn child than the landfill sites. "We really have almost no idea of what causes these congenital defects. We have to bear in mind that this study can tell us about the association, but not about the causation.
If a woman said to me 'do I have to move away' I would say no
Professor Charles Rodeck, a professor in foetal medicine at University College, London
"I am greatly reassured by it. If a woman said to me 'do I have to move away' I would say no."
But lead author Paul Elliott, director of the Imperial College's Small Area Health Statistics Unit, which carried out the study said further research was needed.
He said the study looked at the areas surrounding 9,500 landfill sites and studied eight million pregnancies, but that it was not possible to say exactly what was causing the problems on the landfill sites, or eliminate all the socio-economic factors.
The biggest emissions from landfill sites are carbon dioxide and methane, neither of which are linked to birth defects.
Action needed
Under European Union Guidelines, countries have to halve levels of biodegradable waste disposed in landfill sites by 2013 from their 1995 levels.
Mike Childs, campaigns director at Friends of the Earth said: "This study adds to our fears that if you are born near a landfill site you are more likely to be born with a birth defect.
"Although the authors rightly say we need further research, the Government must not use this as an excuse to delay action."
Dr Maureen Baker, of the Royal College of GPs said:"This study would also indicate that we need to conduct further appropriate research to establish whether these sites present a significant and real risk to public health as such a large proportion of the population would appear to live within close proximity of a site."
Dr Peter Bowen-Simkins, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said pregnant women should ensure they had the appropriate scans which would enable doctors to pick up any defects.
Families worried about landfill sites and birth defects are being urged to call the Birth Defects Foundation's confidential helpline on 08700 707020.
Nantygwyddon landfill site has come under fire from residents
Harriet Medlicott was born six years ago with a deformed windpipe and she has had to undergo three major operations. She suffers from pneumonia and needs regular medication and constant care from her family.
Harriet Mendicott is recovering from a major operation
Her mother Natalie, from Gelli, Rhondda, south Wales, she had been told at the time of Harriet's birth that she had been born with a rare defect.
Then two years later, another child in the same village - which is just a mile from the Nantygwyddon landfill site - was diagnosed with the same rare condition.
The landfill operation is currently under investigation by the Welsh Assembly, amid concerns from villagers about hazardous substances tipped at the site.
Mrs Medlicott said she had spoken with the parents of other children with birth defects in the area, some with the rare condition of gastroschisis, where the intestines are outside the stomach.
I have spoken to people in this area and there are a lot of birth defects. The council is saying it is not the tip - I want proof.
Natalie Medlicott, parent
She welcomed the government's report linking landfill sites with some health problems and "minor" birth defects.
"It shows that we were right all along," said Mrs Medlicott.
"It is nice to get acknowledgement for the facts.
"When Harriet was born, we were told it was one of those things. Two years later to the month there was another one born in Gelli. The condition is very rare and now there are two children with it.
"But nobody knows the cause. Nobody can say it is not the tip.
Garrod Owen: Public inquiry needed
"I have spoken to people in this area and there are a lot of birth defects, the council is saying it is not the tip. I want proof, if that is the case."
Mrs Medlicott added: "I am very disappointed that Nantygwyddon has not closed, because if there is the slightest doubt, it should be closed until an investigation is carried out."
Garrod Owen, from the pressure group Rant (Rhondda Against Nantygwyddon Tip), said he was concerned the government would fail to act on its own findings.
The announcement this week of an inquiry into the Camelford water poisoning disaster in Cornwall in the early Nineties was typical of the time lag between accident and action, said Mr Owen.
We have had horrific interviews involving the people that were affected
Garrod Owen, Rant pressure group
"The news came only this week of the episode in Cornwall. Just check back into history and see what the government said about that 10 years ago. Only now are they considering a full inquiry.
"We also want a public inquiry, which will give the power of subpoena. We know there were 37 people that had some involvement in one form or other with the formation and running in the early days of Nantygwyddon.
"Eighty-two percent of them have not turned up to give evidence for one reason or other.
He added: "We are coming to the end of an investigation by the Welsh Assembly and we have had horrific interviews involving the people that were affected, I would certainly not consider them to be minor.
"Plaid Cymru gave an undertaking before they were elected to close the tip, but that is not the end of it. There are many other things that need doing."
Rhondda Cynon Taff declined to comment on Nantygwyddon but said it "welcomed the release of the scientific research into the health impact of hazardous waste landfill sites throughout the UK".
A council spokesman said details of the Welsh Assembly's investigation were awaited and guidance would be sought on hazardous waste storage at landfill sites.
The new law will crack down on landfill sites
Environmental campaigners have warned that new European legislation, which should cut the amount of rubbish being dumped in landfill sites, will not cut pollution. Friends of the Earth Scotland said eight new incinerators are planned which will burn a substantial amount of the three million tonnes of rubbish thrown away in Scotland every year.
It said that these will cause air pollution.
Head of Research Dr Richard Dixon said local authorities should be promoting recycling instead.
Dr Richard Dixon: Incineration fears
He said: "The choice is really between another big solution, incineration, or getting good at the other alternatives - recycling, composting and, of course, minimising the amount of waste we produce in the first place.
"We are in danger of going down that incineration route and that would leave us very much at the bottom of the European recycling league.
"Very much the dirty man of Europe again."
He called on the Scottish Executive to get "tougher" with waste management targets.
Toxic chemicals
Existing incinerators have already broken safety limits, including the release of some toxic chemicals, Friends of the Earth claims.
The new legislation will also reduce the incentive for local authorities to recycle waste materials, the organisation said.
Scotland is already at the bottom of the European league table for recycling.
However, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) said that its National Waste Strategy will cover a range of different options for managing waste more sustainably.
These will include more recovery of materials for recycling or composting as well as producing electricity from waste.
There is a call for more recycling
National Waste Strategy project manager John Paterson said SEPA was trying to establish what the best waste disposal method was in each area.
He said incineration was one of the tools of waste management.
"We have identified a role for incineration. We would like to see more recycling. However, we realise that the use of incineration in some shape or form will be required in Scotland."
He said landfill had historically been the most popular form of waste disposal in Scotland because it was "cheap and cheerful".
"In the past we have arrived at a situation were we currently landfill the majority - 96% - of our waste."
He added that there were now financial measures in place to support the economics of recycling.
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