Risk of low birth weight near EUROHAZCON hazardous waste landfill sites in England

Few studies have investigated the occurrence of both low birth weight (LBW) and congenital anomalies in populations living near hazardous waste landfill sites. The authors investigated the risk of LBW near 10 English hazardous waste landfill sites included in a previous European study, which reported an increased risk of congenital anomalies. Odds ratios, adjusted for sex, deprivation, year of birth, and study area (pooled ORs), were estimated for LBW (< 2500 gm) within 0-3 km compared with 3-7 km zones around the landfill sites. The authors found a small and not statistically significant increase in risk of LBW (OR = 1.03, 95% confidence interval = 0.98-1.08) within 3 km of hazardous waste landfill sites. Their findings suggest that previously reported results for congenital anomalies should not be extrapolated to a wider range of pregnancy outcomes but should be evaluated separately for each.