The United Steelworkers asked BDRC to review birth defect data from Joplin, MO. The incidence of birth defects in Joplin was higher than the county and the state of Missouri. BDRC’s review found that there were significant increases in certain categories of birth defects (especially Atrial Septal Defects of the heart).BDRC joined with the United Steelworkers and other children’s advocacy groups in asking the governor of Missouri to request further study.