Arsenic in Drinking Water and Adverse Birth Outcomes in Ohio

Details

• Personal Author:
  Almberg JS ; Freels S ; Graber JM ; Jones RM ; Rankin K ; Stayner, Leslie T. ; Turyk ME
• Description:
  Background: Arsenic in drinking water has been associated with adverse reproductive outcomes in areas with high levels of naturally occurring arsenic. Less is known about the reproductive effects of arsenic at lower levels. Objectives: This research examined the association between low-level arsenic in drinking water and small for gestational age (SGA), term low birth weight (term LBW), very low birth weight (VLBW), preterm birth (PTB), and very preterm birth (VPTB) in the state of Ohio. Methods: Exposure was defined as the mean annual arsenic concentration in drinking water in each county in Ohio from 2006 to 2008 using Safe Drinking Water Information System data. Birth outcomes were ascertained from the birth certificate records of 428,804 births in Ohio from the same time period. Multivariable generalized estimating equation logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between arsenic and each birth outcome separately. Sensitivity analyses were performed to examine the roles of private well use and prenatal care utilization in these associations. Results: Arsenic in drinking water was associated with increased odds of VLBW (AOR 1.14 per ug/L increase; 95% CI 1.04, 1.24) and PTB (AOR 1.10; 95% CI 1.06, 1.15) among singleton births in counties where <10% of the population used private wells. No significant association was observed between arsenic and SGA, or VPTB, but a suggestive association was observed between arsenic and term LBW. Conclusions: Arsenic in drinking water was positively associated with VLBW and PTB in a population where nearly all (>99%) of the population was exposed under the current maximum contaminant level of 10 ug/L. Current regulatory standards may not be protective against reproductive effects of prenatal exposure to arsenic. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Arsenic Environmental Exposure Environmental Pollution Inorganic Chemicals Occupational Health Pregnancy Safety Urogenital System
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Arsenic Birth Weight Drinking Water Environmental Contamination Environmental Hazards Prenatal Exposure Preterm Birth Reproductive Effects Small For Gestational Age Water Supply
• ISSN:
  0013-9351
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Illinois ; New Jersey ; Ohio ; OSHA Region 2 ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  52-59
• Volume:
  157
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20062601
• Citation:
  Environ Res 2017 Aug; 157:52-59
• Contact Point Address:
  Kirsten S. Almberg, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Division, University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health, 1603 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• Email:
  almberg@uic.edu
• CAS Registry Number:
  Arsenic (CAS RN 7440-38-2)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2017
• Performing Organization:
  University of Illinois at Chicago
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Environmental Research
• End Date:
  20290630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:bda31eb2c4469921049d182837a062ae0f01527b13de069a5cca39b7af9266363a07d0c175240537c227feba9c2c07d21b781f17db576fe6fea1e9377b265c69
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/225809/cdc_225809_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 243.95 KB ]