Maternal proximity to Central Appalachia surface mining and birth outcomes

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Epidemiology
• Geospatial Analysis

Background:

• Maternal residence in coal-producing Central Appalachian counties is associated with elevated low birth weight (LBW) rates.
• Previous studies suggest a link between coal production and adverse birth outcomes.
• This research aims to provide a more precise understanding of surface mining's impact on birth outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between proximity to active surface mining and birth weight.
• To determine the relationship between surface mining exposure and the incidence of low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth (PTB), and term low birth weight (tLBW).
• To utilize refined spatiotemporal exposure estimates for a more accurate assessment.

Main Methods:

• Characterized annual surface mining boundaries in Central Appalachia (1986-2015) using Landsat data.
• Geocoded maternal addresses from birth records and quantified surface mining within 5 km radii and ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs).
• Assessed associations between gestational exposure to active mining and birth outcomes, adjusting for pre-mining rates and covariates.

Main Results:

• Increased active mining within 5 km or ZCTA was associated with significantly lower birth weight (e.g., -14.07g per 5km buffer).
• Active mining proximity showed a positive association with preterm birth (PTB) (e.g., OR=1.06 within 5km).
• Significant positive relationships were observed between mining proximity and low birth weight (LBW) and term low birth weight (tLBW).

Conclusions:

• Maternal proximity to active surface mining during pregnancy is a potential risk factor for adverse birth outcomes.
• Increased risk of preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) is associated with living near surface mining operations.
• The findings underscore the need for environmental health considerations in areas with active mining.