Huge Increase in Birth Defects in China Coincides With Huge Increase in Coal Usage

Articles — By forcechange on February 2, 2009 2:42 am

We often discuss the adverse impacts of coal fired power plants on the climate, but another deadly impact is seen in a sharp increase in birth defects in people living near coal production areas.  China, which in recent years has seen a huge increase in coal fired plants, has also seen a dramatic increase in birth defects in recent years. 

Jiang Fan, the vice minister of the Chinese National Population and Family Planning Commission admitted recently that “The number of newborns with birth defects is constantly increasing.” 

A recent study found that birth defects in China increased by nearly 40% from 2001 to 2006, which would coincide with that country’s rapid industrial growth.  According to the Chinese government, the most common birth defects in China are cleft palate, neural tube defects, extra fingers or toes, and congenital heart disease.  However, the LATimes notes that at least part of this increase is due to better data since more Chinese babies are now being born in hospitals.

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