NEW YORK, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say drinking-water disinfection byproducts, or DBPs -- in the range commonly encountered -- do not affect fetal survival.
The findings are particularly important because previous research has suggested that exposure to elevated levels of drinking water DBPs might cause pregnancy loss, according to a team of researchers headed by David A. Savitz of Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
The interaction of chlorine with organic material in raw water supplies produces chemical DBPs of health concern, including trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids.
Researchers looked at three locations with varying DBP levels and evaluated 2,409 women in early pregnancy to assess tap water DBP concentrations, water use, other risk factors and pregnancy outcome. Tap water concentrations were measured in the distribution system on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. DBP concentration and ingested amount, bathing/showering and integrated exposure that included ingestion and bathing/showering were considered.
Based on 258 pregnancy losses, the finding did not show an increased risk of pregnancy loss in relation to ingested amounts of DBPs, according to the study published in the November issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology -- available online in September.
