KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | State Says Nothing Unusual in Number of Birth Defects

State Says Nothing Unusual in Number of Birth Defects

Kettleman City - Emotions run high in Kettleman City, as residents learn the results of a state health investigation.

It was news they did not want to hear.

"The overall rate of birth defects from 1987 through 2008 is not higher than expected in Kettleman City, and it is not higher than the region," said Dr. Rick Kreutzer with the California Department of Public Health.

And while he did acknowledge a higher rate of birth defects in the town in 2008, he says "The birth defects were all different, and that usually does not suggest a common cause."

Kettleman City residents and activists insist the state's findings are flawed.

They say the birth defects are not normal, and blame, in part, the nearby toxic landfill.

"I'm a little disappointed, I'm glad they came out and doing the study, but basically what they brought out was a bunch of statistics slapped on a paper and called a report," said Maricela Mares-Alatorre, an activist.

The state's study reviewed existing data on birth defects.

Meanwhile, the environmental protection agency is also investigating the area, looking for contaminants.

"What we'll do is take a multimedia approach, and look at air, ground water, and soil in the Kettleman City area," said Joan Denton with the CA Environmental Protection Agency.

In a 14 month span between 2007 and 2008, 6 babies were diagnosed with birth defects, three died.

Waste Management, Inc., operates the hazardous waste landfill, they say their site is safe, but support the investigations into health concerns.

But residents say they don't trust the Department of Public Health.

"It makes my blood boil for people to claim they're doing an investigation when people are sitting behind their desks," said Bradley Angel, an activist with Greenaction.

State health officials say they'll continue to investigate, and their next steps are to interview families in Kettleman City, to find out what may have happened before and during the pregnancies, that could have caused the birth defects.