The NYSDH conducted a cross sectional health questionnaire survey of persons living in the Love Canal area as of June, 1978, coupled with selective clinical laboratory testing (especially liver function tests). Although information was sought regarding a wide range of health conditions, particular emphasis was placed on outcomes of pregnancy. Frequencies of low birth weight births (2500 grams or less) were determined from data contained in birth certificate records. Results comparing frequencies for each of these three types of abnormal pregnancy outcomes are shown in the table below. Comparisons were made both among different groups in the Love Canal area and with available outside data (abortion and low birth weight frequencies). Comparisons were adjusted for differences in maternal age and parity. For purposes of comparison, the area north of Colvin Boulevard was considered relatively unexposed to Canal chemicals.
| Frequencies
of Spontaneous Abortions, Low Birth Weight, and Birth Defects, Love Canal Area, NYSDH Survey |
|||||
| Adjoining Canal | Rest of Canal Area | ||||
| 97th Street | 99th Street closest | Wet | Dry | North of Colvin Blvd | |
| Number of women ever pregnant | 20 | 22 | 49 | 98 | 66 |
| Number of single fetus pregnancies | 29 | 50 | 108 | 164 | 125 |
| Number of women with abortions | 3 | 7 | 16 | 16 | 11 |
| Number of abortions | 3 | 12 | 25 | 21 | 11 |
| Frequency of Abortions | |||||
| Adjusted O/E ratio (1) | 1.2 | 6.0** | 3.4** | 2.0 | - |
| Adjusted O/E ratio (2) | 0.7 | 1.5 | 1.5* | 0.8 | -- |
| Number of women with live births | 19 | 21 | 44 | 92 | 64 |
| Number of live births | 26 | 39 | 83 | 144 | 110 |
| Number of women with Low Birth Weight (LBW) births | 0 | 1 | 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Number of LBW births | 0 | 1 | 13** | 11 | 3 |
| Frequency of LBW births | |||||
| Number of women with Birth Defect (BD)children | 0 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Number of BD children | 0 | 4 | 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Frequency of BD children | |||||
* P < 0.05
** P < 0.01
(1) Expected frequency from north of Colvin Boulevard
(2) Expected frequency from Warburton and Fraser (1963)