Relation of trihalomethane concentrations in public water supplies to stillbirth and birth weight in three water regions in England
Toledano, MB; Nieuwenhuijsen, MJ; Best, N; Whitaker, H; Hambly, P; de Hoogh, C; Fawell, J; Jarup, L; Elliott, P
HERO ID
657812
Reference Type
Journal Article
Year
2005
Language
English
PMID
| HERO ID | 657812 |
|---|---|
| In Press | No |
| Year | 2005 |
| Title | Relation of trihalomethane concentrations in public water supplies to stillbirth and birth weight in three water regions in England |
| Authors | Toledano, MB; Nieuwenhuijsen, MJ; Best, N; Whitaker, H; Hambly, P; de Hoogh, C; Fawell, J; Jarup, L; Elliott, P |
| Journal | Environmental Health Perspectives |
| Volume | 113 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Page Numbers | 225-232 |
| Abstract | We investigated the association between total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and risk of stillbirth and low and very low birth weight in three water regions in England, 1992-1998; associations with individual trihalomethanes (THMs) were also examined. Modeled estimates of quarterly TTHM concentrations in water zones, categorized as low (< 30 microg/L), medium (30-59 microg/L), or high (> or = 60 microg/L), were linked to approximately 1 million routine birth and stillbirth records using maternal residence at time of birth. In one region, where there was a positive socioeconomic deprivation gradient across exposure categories, there was also a positive, significant association of TTHM with risk of stillbirth and low and very low birth weight. Overall summary estimates across the three regions using a random-effects model to allow for between-region heterogeneity in exposure effects showed small excess risks in areas with high TTHM concentrations for stillbirths [odds ratio (OR) = 1.11; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.00-1.23), low birth weight (OR = 1.09; 95% CI, 0.93-1.27), and very low birth weight (OR = 1.05; 95% CI, 0.82-1.34). Among the individual THMs, chloroform showed a similar pattern of risk as TTHM, but no association was found with concentrations of bromodichloromethane or total brominated THMs. Our findings overall suggest a significant association of stillbirths with maternal residence in areas with high TTHM exposure. Further work is needed looking at cause-specific stillbirths and effects of other disinfection by-products and to help differentiate between alternative (noncausal) explanations and those that may derive from the water supply. |
| Doi | 10.1289/ehp.7111 |
| Pmid | 15687062 |
| Wosid | WOS:000227169400043 |
| Url | https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-14744276546&doi=10.1289%2fehp.7111&partnerID=40&md5=91ba011c054be1c3e19d5a957692a2cb |
| Is Certified Translation | No |
| Dupe Override | No |
| Is Public | Yes |
| Language Text | English |
| Keyword | Adult;England/epidemiology;Female;Humans;Infant, Low Birth Weight;Infant, Newborn;Infant, Very Low Birth Weight;Maternal Exposure;Odds Ratio;Pregnancy;Pregnancy Outcome/ epidemiology;Trihalomethanes/analysis;Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis;Water Purification;Water Supply/analysis |