Is preterm birth associated with air pollution from oil and gas power plants in California? A natural experiment

RAP Awardee
Joan Casey, PhD, MA

Award Cycle: Spring 2016  

Background

Coal electricity generation has declined, but still accounted for 30% of U.S. electricity in 2016. Despite reduction in air emissions when coal and oil power plants retire, few studies have compared community health before and after power plants retire.

Objectives

We aimed to estimate the effect of coal and oil power plant retirements in California on preterm birth.

Methods

We obtained data on all births that took place in California between 2001-2011 from the California Department of Public Health. From the U.S. Energy Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, we downloaded data on 8 retiring coal and oil power plants. We implemented a quasi-experimental design, comparing the probability of preterm birth before and after power plant retirements while accounting for maternal and neighborhood characteristics like maternal age and educational attainment.

Results

Our study population included 57,005 births that took place within 20km of one of 8 retiring coal (n = 2) or oil (n = 6) power plants in California during 2001-2011. We found that power plant retirements were related to a decrease in preterm birth among mothers living within <5km and 5-10km, using mothers living 10-20km away as a control. For example, after power plant retirement, we saw a 1.9% (95% CI: -3.1% to -0.8%) reduction in preterm birth among mothers living within 5km. Improvements in preterm birth appeared even larger for non-Hispanic Black and Asian mothers.

Conclusions

Future coal and oil power plant retirements may reduce preterm birth among nearby populations.

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