The United Steelworkers union and local health groups are calling for a state investigation as a result of a report suggesting a rise in birth defects and chronic diseases in Joplin, Missouri. The report was complied by the union, and state health department officials said the agency knew about many of the issues, but further analysis is required.
According to the report, "Joplin is afflicted by a significantly higher rate of a whole host of different kinds of birth defects." They include ones involving the central nervous system, heart, other circulatory and respiratory anomalies, genital organs and urinary organs, and these defects have been trending upward for Joplin since 1999.
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The union’s report noted that Joplin has a long history of lead mining and smelting and, with that, a legacy of soil and water pollution. Lead causes a wide range of diseases and birth defects as do other contaminants from lead smelting, according to the report. The union began looking at the state’s health data on the city after plant workers grew concerned about health issues. 250 workers at the Eagle-Picher Technologies battery plant are members of the union.
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