Congenital heart defects are surprisingly common – 1 in 115 births – however, this doesn’t make them OK because there is usually a logical explanation as to why they happen. The average layman may attribute such as defect as an accident of nature but the truth is that human actions or activities are the proximate cause of a lot of the avoidable medical complications we see in children.
Are you looking for an oil and gas well health hazard attorney? Please contact us TODAY at 1 (773) 825-3547 to learn more about your legal options for compensation. For over 70 years, we’ve helped the people of Illinois and neighboring states get the justice and compensation they need. When the insurance company comes to you with what seems like a reasonable offer, call 1 (773) 825-3547 instead and we’ll make sure you get so much more when it comes to your injury settlement. The call is free, and as always, there’s no obligation.
Congenital Heart Defects Linked To Oil and Gas Emissions
It was recently revealed that children whose parents live near oil and gas fields were more likely to suffer from congenital heart defects. In fact, the published report put the probability of children born into these regions to develop or be born with a congenital heart defect as high as 70 percent compared to children that were not born in such environments.
We have long known about the dangers of air pollution, especially by hydrocarbons which have been designated as probable carcinogens. However, it was not known until recently that these substances, when burned, can impact a developing fetus in its mother’s womb.
Unfortunately, out of all known birth defects, congenital heart defect is more likely than others to cause the death of infants that suffer from it. In fact, not only do these babies face the risk of death, should they survive, they are more likely to suffer brain injury, or grow up with developmental issues.
Here’s a list of the known types of CHDs
- Aortic artery and valve defect
- Pulmonary artery and valve defect
- Tricuspid valve defect
- Conotruncal defect
Congenital Heart Defect Statistics
The study, published by scholars from the Colorado School of Public Health pointed out that while only 8.1 per 1000 babies develop congenital heart defects nationally, those born in Colorado, which is known for its high density per square mile of oil and gas fields, has 18.9 per 1000 babies born developing the condition. What’s even more concerning is that it takes a one-time exposure by mothers in the early stages of their pregnancy to benzene, diesel and other gas products for their children to be born with CHD.
Health Effects of Oil and Gas Drilling
17 million individuals in the country are currently living within a mile of a gas well. This means that at some point, these individuals may suffer serious health consequences and have to contend with having loved ones give birth to babies born with CHD; these infants need round-the clock medical care that is not only costly but unnecessary due to the environmental protection rights present in most, if not all states. The current administration, however, has turned a blind eye to these concerns and is looking to develop land to prospect for gas and oil, with a large chunk of this project slated to take place in California, on land that is designated as public land.
Call Today for Compassionate Legal Advice
If you suspect that your baby’s congenital heart condition was due to living near oil and gas structures, or if you yourself developed health complications due to living near these structures, please give us a call NOW at 1 (773) 825-3547. We’ll look over the facts and provide you with FREE legal advice on the next steps to take to recover compensation. Thanks, and we look forward to hearing from you.