Low birthweight as the best indicator of environmental disaster

The incidence of low birthweight was examined among 6794 newborns in 4 towns in the industrial region of Upper Silesian: Świętochłowice, Bytom, Zabrze and Chorzów. Ecological disaster has caused an increasing number of infants with birthweight below 2500 g in the most polluted towns. In Chorzów, in the most polluted part of the town, mean body weight decreased (3015g) in comparison with mean body weight in less polluted districts (3087 g and 3102 g). Low birthweight is one of the most important health indicators of a population affected by environmental pollution. The second negative impact connected with very high pollution is the high incidence of congenital defects and childrens' morbidity rate as the same as disturbed physical and psychological development.