An Epidemiological Study of Congenital Malformations in New York State

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Abstract
This historical review of cases shows that the area in New York having the highest malformation rate, 17.5, also had the most highly radioactive materials, in regions with outcrops of igneous rocks, while there was a rate of 15.4 for areas with glacial materials. The neonatal mortality rate from malformations was inversely related to the socioeconomic status of the father, but rates were higher for all occupational groups (except one) in the areas of high radioactivity. Extensive interviews were used to eliminate bias from medical radiation, infectious disease during pregnancy, and other etiological factors. In areas of "probable" radioactive materials the malformation rate was highest (16.9) in those communities deriving their water supply from wells and springs, and lowest (12.4) where lakes and rivers were the sources of supply. This is contrasted with 12.9 and 11.9, respectively, for the 2 types of sources in "unlikely" radioactive areas. The general range is from 0.0 to 1.7 x 10 g of radium per ml in public water supplies, with one major exception in which the water contained 29.0 x 10-16 g/ml.