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Wednesday, October 27, 2004

Tap water linked to higher risk of stillbirths

Chlorine which is used to disinfect tap water can contribute to an increased risk of having a stillborn baby, researchers have said. The chance is up to 21 per cent greater where pregnant women are drinking and washing in water laced with by-products of the chemical.

Experts believe there may also be a link with the birth of unusually small babies.

The study's authors, from Imperial College London, described their finding as 'significant' and called on UK water companies to restrict their use of chlorine to the minimum levels possible.

The researchers looked at birth statistics in three water company areas: United Utilities, covering the North-West of England; Severn Trent, which serves much of central England; and Northumbrian.

These were then cross-checked with information on the levels of trihalomethanes in the tap water. THMs are created when chlorine reacts with organic matter such as particles of plants or insects in the water.

The research paper concludes: "Our findings overall suggest a significant association of stillbirths with maternal residence in high THM exposure areas."

The amount of chlorine in tap water varies across the country depending on water quality, while the quantity of organic matter also varies.

The most notable evidence came from the United Utilities area, where there was a 21 per cent 'excess risk' of stillbirth in those towns where the water was high in THMs.

There was a 20 per cent 'excess risk' of having a very low birth weight in these areas and a 19 per cent increase in low birth weight. A similar pattern was seen in the other two regions, although the difference was much lower.

Consequently, the overall excess risk of stillbirth in areas where the water had high THM levels was 11 per cent, the figure for low birth weight was 9 per cent and for very low birth weight, 5 per cent.

The figures relate to the period 1992 to 1998. Water firms have been trying to reduce their use of chlorine since then.

The risk of stillbirth identified by the researchers is small. If the chance of stillbirth was 1 in 100, the overall increased risk identified in the three areas would be 1.11 in 100. In parts of the North-West of England it would be 1.21. Four years ago, experts in Canada and Norway claimed to have found an increased risk of stillbirths or birth defects, such as spina bifida, in areas with chlorinated drinking water.

The Imperial College study was published yesterday by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in the US.

The findings will be debated by the Government's Committee on Toxicity on Tuesday.

Its chairman, Ieuan Hughes, professor of paediatrics at Cambridge University, said: "The study suggests that there might be a small risk of an association between birth outcome problems and chlorination by- products in water."

But he stressed that the findings might be clouded by other lifestyle factors.

George Glasser, a spokesman for the National Pure Water Association pressure group, said people can breathe in more of the by-products in a 15-minute hot shower than by drinking eight glasses of water.

He said water companies have resorted to the cheap option of using chlorine rather than alternatives, such as filtration and ultra-violet light, to clean water.

A spokesman for Water UK, which represents the industry, said: "Water companies are required by strict quality regulations to meet demanding standards in the use of chlorination and do meet them.

"Disinfection of tap water by chlorination is an important health measure. Water companies do everything to minimise the presence of by-products but never compromise on safety."

Daily Mail

(http://www.dailymirror.lk/2004/10/26/life/7.asp)


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