A groundbreaking new study conducted by UCLA researchers has shed light on the health effects of the gas blowout at the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility that occurred in late 2015 and early 2016. The study revealed that women in their final trimester of pregnancy who lived within 6.2 miles of the Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Field blowout had a nearly 50% higher-than-expected chance of having a low–birth-weight baby.
The Aliso Canyon disaster, which began on October 23, 2015, and lasted until February 11, 2016, resulted in the release of approximately 109,000 metric tons of methane and other toxic air pollutants into the atmosphere near the Porter Ranch neighborhood in northwestern Los Angeles County. Residents reported experiencing foul odors, oily mists, and a range of health symptoms during and after the blowout.
In their study published in the journal Science Advances, the UCLA researchers analyzed over a million Los Angeles County birth records from October 2010 to October 2019. They focused on 666 births among women who lived within the impact zone downwind of the facility and were exposed to the blowout for at least one month during the last 12 weeks of their pregnancy. The study found that 9.6% of babies born to these women were low birth weight, compared to 6.6% before the blowout in the impact zone.
Furthermore, the researchers observed that the prevalence of low birth weight was 66% higher than expected for women exposed in their last trimester when excluding premature births. Environmental samples taken during and after the blowout showed elevated levels of pollutants known to affect birth weight, such as heavy metals and volatile organic compounds like benzene.
Low birth weight is associated with poor fetal growth, nutrition, and an increased risk of developmental and behavioral disorders. The study revealed a direct correlation between proximity to the gas plume and birth weights, with the prevalence of low birth weight returning to expected levels in the affected area following the blowout.
Lead author Kimberly Paul emphasized the importance of these findings in understanding the health impacts of the disaster on the community. The UCLA-led research team continues to investigate the short- and long-term health effects of the gas blowout, with a focus on providing answers to the community members who have been patiently waiting for information.
This study marks a significant step in uncovering the health consequences of the Aliso Canyon gas blowout and highlights the critical role of in utero and early-life environmental exposures in determining long-term health outcomes. The research team is committed to further exploring the impacts of the disaster and providing valuable insights to the community.
