I wonder whether any Sutton Councillors or officers recall an article in The Guardian (6 February 2013) with the headline: "Air pollution increases chances of low birth-weight babies", which started: "Sooty air pollution in towns and cities increases the chances of women giving birth to small babies, new research has shown.

A study involving millions of births around the world found that higher pollution levels raised the risk of low birth-weight."

Sutton and Merton PCT were aware of the dangers faced by low-birthweight babies, as their website has "Key Facts on Low Birth Weight"

which states: "Birth weight is a good measure of infant health. Low birth weight is strongly associated with poorer health and poorer life chances and is an important predictor of future infant, child and adult health. Low birth weight babies are at greater risk of dying in their first year than heavier babies." The Guardian article of 13 February 2013 also included that the research had found that babies weighing less than 2500 grammes "face an increased risk of dying in infancy, as well as chronic poor health and impaired mental development."

The proposed Beddington incinerator will increase air pollution and must also increase the percentage of low birthweight babies and raise the infant mortality rate. Even Sutton and Merton PCT recognised that low birthweight babies more likely to die as infants, so why are some Sutton officers and councillors having difficulty in recognising a major avoidable health hazard?

Yours faithfully,

Michael Ryan 

Note: The low birthweight data for all London electoral wards (2002-04, 2003-05, 2004-06) used to be readily available at the London Health Observatory website.

Access now restricted.

Relevant links:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/feb/06/sooty-particles-air-pollution-baby-health

http://www.jsna.suttonandmerton.nhs.uk/ec/update/readnew.asp?id=48

Key Facts on Low Birth Weight
Birth weight is a good measure of infant health. Low birth weight is strongly associated with poorer health and poorer life chances and is an important predictor of future infant, child and adult health. Low birth weight babies are at greater risk of dying in their first year than heavier babies. Low birth weight (LBW) is defined as births under 2,500 gm. Low birth weight is more common for babies born:
• To mothers under the age of 20 and over the age of 40
• In deprived areas
• To parents in social class IV and V
• To lone mothers
• To mothers born outside the UK