Modeled exposure to tetrachloroethylene-contaminated drinking water and the occurrence of birth defects: a case-control study from Massachusetts and Rhode Island
Abstract Background Residents of Massachusetts and Rhode Island were exposed to tetrachloroethylene-contaminated drinking water from 1968 through the early 1990s when it leached from the vinyl lining of asbestos cement water distribution pipes. While occupational exposure to solvents during pregnanc...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-11-01
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| Series: | Environmental Health |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12940-018-0419-5 |
| _version_ | 1818517390183366656 |
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| author | Ann Aschengrau Lisa G. Gallagher Michael Winter Lindsey Butler M. Patricia Fabian Veronica M. Vieira |
| author_facet | Ann Aschengrau Lisa G. Gallagher Michael Winter Lindsey Butler M. Patricia Fabian Veronica M. Vieira |
| author_sort | Ann Aschengrau |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Residents of Massachusetts and Rhode Island were exposed to tetrachloroethylene-contaminated drinking water from 1968 through the early 1990s when it leached from the vinyl lining of asbestos cement water distribution pipes. While occupational exposure to solvents during pregnancy has consistently been linked to an increased risk of certain birth defects, mixed results have been observed for environmental sources of exposure, including contaminated drinking water. The present case-control study was undertaken to examine further the association between prenatal exposure to tetrachloroethylene-contaminated drinking water and the risk of central nervous system defects, oral clefts and hypospadias. Methods Cases were comprised of live- and stillborn infants delivered between 1968 and 1995 to mothers who resided in 28 Massachusetts and Rhode Island cities and towns with some PCE-contaminated water supplies. Infants with central nervous system defects (N = 268), oral clefts (N = 112) and hypospadias (N = 94) were included. Controls were randomly selected live-born, non-malformed infants who were delivered during the same period and geographic area as cases (N = 771). Vital records and self-administered questionnaires were used to gather identifying information, birth defect diagnoses, and other relevant data. PCE exposure during the first trimester was estimated using water distribution system modeling software that incorporated a leaching and transport model. Prenatal PCE exposure was dichotomized as “high” or “low” exposure at the level corresponding to an estimated average concentration of 40 μg/L, the criterion for remediation when PCE contamination was discovered in 1980. Results Mothers with “high” levels of exposure to PCE-contaminated drinking water during the first trimester (> 40 μg/L) had increased odds of having a child with spina bifida (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 0.8–5.4), cleft lip with or without cleft palate (OR: 3.8, 95% CI: 1.2–12.3) and hypospadias (OR: 2.1, 95% CI:0.5–8.3). No increases in the odds of other defects were observed in relation to “high” exposure levels. Conclusions The results of the present study suggest that mothers with “high” PCE exposure levels during the first trimester have increased odds of having a child with spina bifida, cleft lip with or without cleft palate, and hypospadias. These findings support several prior studies that observed an increased risk of selected birth defects following prenatal exposure to solvents in occupational and environmental settings. Even though PCE contamination from vinyl lined pipes was remediated many years ago, it remains a widespread contaminant across the U.S and so environmental regulations must be guided by a precautionary perspective that safeguards pregnant women and their offspring. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T00:55:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b4512209a2264fdc90c0735c71fbacfd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1476-069X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T00:55:39Z |
| publishDate | 2018-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Environmental Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-b4512209a2264fdc90c0735c71fbacfd2022-12-22T01:26:29ZengBMCEnvironmental Health1476-069X2018-11-0117111110.1186/s12940-018-0419-5Modeled exposure to tetrachloroethylene-contaminated drinking water and the occurrence of birth defects: a case-control study from Massachusetts and Rhode IslandAnn Aschengrau0Lisa G. Gallagher1Michael Winter2Lindsey Butler3M. Patricia Fabian4Veronica M. Vieira5Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public HealthDepartment of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public HealthBiostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center, Boston University School of Public HealthDepartment of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public HealthDepartment of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public HealthUniversity of California, Irvine, Program in Public HealthAbstract Background Residents of Massachusetts and Rhode Island were exposed to tetrachloroethylene-contaminated drinking water from 1968 through the early 1990s when it leached from the vinyl lining of asbestos cement water distribution pipes. While occupational exposure to solvents during pregnancy has consistently been linked to an increased risk of certain birth defects, mixed results have been observed for environmental sources of exposure, including contaminated drinking water. The present case-control study was undertaken to examine further the association between prenatal exposure to tetrachloroethylene-contaminated drinking water and the risk of central nervous system defects, oral clefts and hypospadias. Methods Cases were comprised of live- and stillborn infants delivered between 1968 and 1995 to mothers who resided in 28 Massachusetts and Rhode Island cities and towns with some PCE-contaminated water supplies. Infants with central nervous system defects (N = 268), oral clefts (N = 112) and hypospadias (N = 94) were included. Controls were randomly selected live-born, non-malformed infants who were delivered during the same period and geographic area as cases (N = 771). Vital records and self-administered questionnaires were used to gather identifying information, birth defect diagnoses, and other relevant data. PCE exposure during the first trimester was estimated using water distribution system modeling software that incorporated a leaching and transport model. Prenatal PCE exposure was dichotomized as “high” or “low” exposure at the level corresponding to an estimated average concentration of 40 μg/L, the criterion for remediation when PCE contamination was discovered in 1980. Results Mothers with “high” levels of exposure to PCE-contaminated drinking water during the first trimester (> 40 μg/L) had increased odds of having a child with spina bifida (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 0.8–5.4), cleft lip with or without cleft palate (OR: 3.8, 95% CI: 1.2–12.3) and hypospadias (OR: 2.1, 95% CI:0.5–8.3). No increases in the odds of other defects were observed in relation to “high” exposure levels. Conclusions The results of the present study suggest that mothers with “high” PCE exposure levels during the first trimester have increased odds of having a child with spina bifida, cleft lip with or without cleft palate, and hypospadias. These findings support several prior studies that observed an increased risk of selected birth defects following prenatal exposure to solvents in occupational and environmental settings. Even though PCE contamination from vinyl lined pipes was remediated many years ago, it remains a widespread contaminant across the U.S and so environmental regulations must be guided by a precautionary perspective that safeguards pregnant women and their offspring.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12940-018-0419-5TetrachloroethyleneDrinking waterBirth defects |
| spellingShingle | Ann Aschengrau Lisa G. Gallagher Michael Winter Lindsey Butler M. Patricia Fabian Veronica M. Vieira Modeled exposure to tetrachloroethylene-contaminated drinking water and the occurrence of birth defects: a case-control study from Massachusetts and Rhode Island Environmental Health Tetrachloroethylene Drinking water Birth defects |
| title | Modeled exposure to tetrachloroethylene-contaminated drinking water and the occurrence of birth defects: a case-control study from Massachusetts and Rhode Island |
| title_full | Modeled exposure to tetrachloroethylene-contaminated drinking water and the occurrence of birth defects: a case-control study from Massachusetts and Rhode Island |
| title_fullStr | Modeled exposure to tetrachloroethylene-contaminated drinking water and the occurrence of birth defects: a case-control study from Massachusetts and Rhode Island |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modeled exposure to tetrachloroethylene-contaminated drinking water and the occurrence of birth defects: a case-control study from Massachusetts and Rhode Island |
| title_short | Modeled exposure to tetrachloroethylene-contaminated drinking water and the occurrence of birth defects: a case-control study from Massachusetts and Rhode Island |
| title_sort | modeled exposure to tetrachloroethylene contaminated drinking water and the occurrence of birth defects a case control study from massachusetts and rhode island |
| topic | Tetrachloroethylene Drinking water Birth defects |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12940-018-0419-5 |
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