Toxic Waste Opposed after Spike in Birth Defects

FRESNO, Calif. Wednesday, the Kings County Board of Supervisors will vote whether to allow Chemical Waste Management Incorporated to expand its 1,600 acre facility near Kettleman City. The county Planning Commission gave approval in October.

Of 20 children known born in the town between September 2007 and November 2008, five had a cleft palate. Three of the children died.

Owners of the facility offered to fund a health study, but they say there's no evidence linking the dump to the birth defects.