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British Medical Bulletin 68:25-45 (2003)
© The British Council 2003; all rights reserved

The impact of environmental pollution on congenital anomalies

Helen Dolk* and Martine Vrijheid{dagger}

* University of Ulster, Newtownabbey, UK and
{dagger} International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France

Correspondence to: Helen Dolk, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, University of Ulster at Jordanstown, Shore Road, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UK. E-mail: h.dolk{at}ulster.ac.uk

Major congenital anomalies are diagnosed in 2–4% of births. In this paper we review epidemiological studies that have specifically looked at congenital anomalies as a possible outcome of community exposure to chemical exposures associated with environmental pollution. These include studies of drinking water contaminants (heavy metals and nitrates, chlorinated and aromatic solvents, and chlorination by-products), residence near waste disposal sites and contaminated land, pesticide exposure in agricultural areas, air pollution and industrial pollution sources, food contamination, and disasters involving accidental, negligent or deliberate chemical releases of great magnitude. We conclude that there are relatively few environmental pollution exposures for which we can draw strong conclusions about the potential to cause congenital anomalies and, if so, the chemical constituents implicated, to provide an evidence base for public health and clinical practice. A precautionary approach should be adopted at both community and individual level. In order to prevent congenital anomalies, one must reduce exposure to potential teratogens before pregnancy is recognized (i.e. preconceptionally and in the first few weeks of pregnancy). It is a challenge to develop effective strategies for preconceptional care within the primary care framework. Prenatal service providers and counsellors need to be aware of the uncertainties regarding environmental pollution when addressing parental concerns.


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