Studies
This study focuses specifically on the risks for residents living in communities with mountaintop removal coal mining. Using data from a health survey, the authors found that the incidence of self-reported cancer was much higher in mountaintop removal coal mining communities. The authors state that “if the rates found in this study represent the region, a 5% higher cancer rate translates to an additional 60,000 people with cancer in central Appalachian mountaintop mining counties.”
Hendryx, M., L. Wolfe, J. Luo, and B. Webb. (2011) “Self-Reported Cancer Rates in Two Rural Areas of West Virginia with and without Mountaintop Coal Mining.” Journal of Community Health.
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This study linked the ecological integrity of streams to cancer mortality in nearby communities of West Virginia. This study also found significant links between coal mining, decreased ecological integrity, and increasing cancer mortality rates. These findings indicate that West Virginians living near streams polluted by mine waste are more likely to die of cancer.
Hitt, NP. (2010) “Ecological Integrity of Streams Related to Human Cancer Mortality Rates.” EcoHealth. 7 : 91-104.
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This study found that after controlling for covariates (other influences), residents in coal mining areas of West Virginia still had a higher risk of having a baby with a low birth weight. The authors state that the “persistence of a mining effect on low birth weight outcomes suggests an environmental effect resulting from pollution from mining activities,” and that air and water quality assessments are needed for mining communities.
Ahern, M., M. Mullett, K. MacKay and C. Hamilton. (2010) “Residence in Coal-Mining Areas and Low Birth Weight Outcomes.” Maternal Child Health, Jan 2010.
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This study uses two geographical information system (GIS) techniques to find that the activities of the coal mining industry contribute to cancer mortality. This study uses a new measure to look at the distance of populations to components of the coal mining industry such as mines, processing plants, slurry impoundments, and underground slurry injections. The results add to the body of evidence that coal mining poses environmental risks to residents of coal mining communities in West Virginia.
Hendryx, M., E. Fedorko, and A. Anesetti-Rotherme. (2010) “A Geographical Information System-Based Analysis of Cancer Mortality and Population Exposure to Coal Mining Activities in West Virginia.” Geospatial Health 4(2), 2010
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The authors show that residents of coal mining counties both inside and outside of Appalachia had fewer healthy days for both physical and mental reasons. The disparities were greatest for people residing in Appalachian coal mining areas. The authors conclude that residents living in coal mining areas are “characterized by greater socioeconomic disadvantage, riskier health behaviors, and environmental degradation” which are all associated with a lower health-related quality of life.
Zullig, K., and M. Hendryx. (2010) “A Comparative Analysis of Health-Related Quality of Life for Residents of U.S.Counties with and without Coal Mining.” Public Health Reports, Volume 125
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In this study, the authors examined the associations between coal mining and learning outcomes among students in West Virginia public schools 2005-2008. The authors found that “disparities in educational performance in mining areas” reflected many different “environmental riskscape” disadvantages for students living in coal mining areas. The authors recommend further research on the linkages between mining pollution and learning outcomes in children.
Cain, L., and M. Hendryx. (2010) “Learning Outcomes among Students in relation to West Virginia Coal Mining: an Environmental Riskscape Approach.” Environmental Justice, Volume 3, Number 2, 2010.
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In this landmark article in Science magazine, 12 scientists conducted an independent study and literature review on the impacts of environmental contamination from mountaintop removal mining. Results included evidence of water pollution even on reclaimed sites, increased hospitalizations for chronic pulmonary disorders and hypertension, and increased incidents of lung cancer, chronic heart, lung and kidney disease, and overall mortality rates. As a result of these findings, the paper calls for the halting of all new mountaintop removal mining permits.
Palmer, M.S., E. S. Bernhardt, W. H. Schlesinger, K. N. Eshleman, E. Foufoula-Georgiou, M. S. Hendryx, A. D. Lemly, G. E. Likens, O. L. Loucks, M. E. Power, P. S. White, P. R. Wilcock. (2010) “Mountaintop Mining Consequences.” Science, 327: 148-9.
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Hendryx found that chronic heart, respiratory, and kidney disease were significantly higher in coal mining areas of Appalachia than in non-mining areas. He states that coal mining activities expose residents to environmental contaminants like particulate matter and toxic chemicals, agents known to cause chronic disease. Hendryx states that it is “critical to address issues of environmental equity and to reduce environmental and socioeconomic disparity through economic and policy interventions.”
Hendryx, M. (2009) “Mortality from heart, respiratory, and kidney disease in coal mining areas of Appalachia.” International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. 82: 243-49.
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An analysis of the value of statistical life lost showed that the costs associated with coal mining in Appalachia continue to exceed the economic benefits gained from mining. The authors found that “age-adjusted mortality rates were higher every year from 1979 – 2005 in Appalachian coal mining areas compared with other areas of Appalachia or the nation.” Illnesses seen in coal mining areas of Appalachia “are consistent with a hypothesis of exposure to water and air pollution from mining activities.”
Hendryx, M. (2009) “Mortality in Appalachian Coal Mining Regions: The Value of Statistical Life Lost.” Public Health Reports. 124: 541-50
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West Virginians for Affordable Health Care analyzed a 2008 report from Harvard which examined life expectancies in the U.S. They found that Southern West Virginia has some of the lowest life expectancies in the country. McDowell, Logan and Mingo counties were rated among the lowest one percent for shortest life expectancy in the United States. Another three counties — all in southern West Virginia — were rated among the lowest ten percent for life expectancy in the U.S.
A number of counties in West Virginia experienced a reduction in life expectancy for both men and women. For women the reduction in life expectancy was far more pronounced. In Logan County life expectancy for women dropped by more than 2 1/2 years from 1989 to 1999. In Boone County life expectancy fell by almost 2 1/4 years between 1992 and 1999. In Taylor/Barbour counties life expectancy for women fell by 2 1/4 years between 1988 and 1999.
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West Virginians for Affordable Health Care. (2008) Early Deaths: West Virginians Have Some of the Shortest Life Expectancies in the United States.
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