J Water Health 02 (2004) 233-247
Chlorination by-products (CBPs) in drinking water and adverse pregnancy outcomes in Italy
Gabriella Aggazzotti, Elena Righi, Guglielmina Fantuzzi, Barbara Biasotti, Gianbattista Ravera, Stefano Kanitz, Fabio Barbone, Giuliano Sansebastiano, Mario Alberto Battaglia, Valerio Leoni, Leila Fabiani, Maria Triassi and Salvatore Sciacca
Dipartimento di Scienze Igienistiche, Microbiologiche e Biostatistiche, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287. 41100 Modena, Italy Tel.: ++39 059 2055466, Fax: ++39 059 2055483 E-mail: g.aggazzotti@unimore.it
Dipartimento di Scienze Igienistiche, Microbiologiche e Biostatistiche, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287. 41100 Modena, Italy Tel.: ++39 059 2055466, Fax: ++39 059 2055483
Dipartimento di Scienze Igienistiche, Microbiologiche e Biostatistiche, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287. 41100 Modena, Italy Tel.: ++39 059 2055466, Fax: ++39 059 2055483
Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Italy
Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Italy
Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Italy
Department of Pathology and Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Udine, Italy
Department of Public Health, University of Parma, Italy
Department of Hygiene, University of Siena, Italy
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Italy
Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L'Aquila, Italy
Department of Medical Preventive Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Italy
Department 'G.F. Ingrassia', University of Catania, Italy
ABSTRACT
Chlorination by-products (CBPs) in drinking water have been associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including small for gestational age at term (term-SGA) and preterm delivery. Epidemiological evidence is weakened by a generally inaccurate exposure assessment, often at an ecological level.A case control study with incident cases was performed in nine Italian towns between October 1999 and September 2000. A total of 1,194 subjects were enrolled: 343 preterm births (26th-37th not completed week of pregnancy), 239 term-SGA (from 37th completed week, and weight less than the lowest 10th percentile) and 612 controls. Exposure was assessed both by applying a questionnaire on mothers' personal habits during pregnancy and by water sampling directly at mothers' homes.Levels of trihalomethanes (THMs) were low (median: 1.10 µg l−1), while chlorite and chlorate concentrations were relatively high (median: 216.5 µg l−1 for chlorites and 76.5 µg l−1 for chlorates). Preterm birth showed no association with CBPs, while term-SGA, when chlorite levels ≥200 µg l−1 combined with low and high levels of inhalation exposure are considered, suggested a dose-response relationship (adjusted-Odds Ratios (ORs): 1.52, 95%CI: 0.91-2.54 and 1.70, 95%CI: 0.97-3.0, respectively). A weak association with high exposure levels of either THMs (≥30 µg l−1), or chlorite or chlorate (≥200 µg l−1) was also found (adjusted-OR: 1.38, 95%CI: 0.92-2.07). Chlorine dioxide treatment is widespread in Italy; therefore, chlorite levels should be regularly and carefully monitored and their potential effects on pregnancy further evaluated and better understood.
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