Study: Air pollution linked to preterm births

Closing coal- and oil-fired power plants is associated with a reduction in preterm births in the surrounding region, researchers report (Source: “Air Pollution Near Power Plants Tied to Premature Births,” New York Times, May 22, 2018).

Scientists counted the number of preterm babies born in regions surrounding eight power plants before and after their closings from 2001 to 2011. The study is in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

The prevalence of preterm birth decreased significantly near power plants after they closed, with larger decreases in women who lived closer to the plants. For those living within three miles of the plants, the preterm birthrate was 5.1 percent after closing compared with 7.0 percent before.

Preterm birth is the largest cause of infant mortality. Ohio ranks in the bottom quartile of states for outdoor air quality according to the HPIO 2017 Health Value Dashboard.