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Study Finds Low-Level Arsenic Exposure in Public Drinking Water Associated with Reduced Birthweight and Increased Preterm Birth Risk
- A study from the ECHO Program reveals that even minimal arsenic exposure in public drinking water can impact birth outcomes.
- Low-level arsenic exposure is linked to increased risks of preterm birth, lower birthweight, and smaller infant size.
- The study challenges the assumption that arsenic levels below safety thresholds are harmless to fetal development.
- Public water systems, not just private wells, are highlighted as potential sources of arsenic exposure affecting a vast population.
- The EPA's current safety threshold for arsenic in public water may need reevaluation based on the research findings.
- Observational design involving 14,000 mother-infant pairs connected low-level arsenic exposure to adverse birth outcomes.
- The study emphasized disparities across racial and ethnic groups, affecting various populations.
- Arsenic disrupts biological pathways crucial for fetal development, impacting placental function and genetic susceptibility.
- Calls for enhanced regulatory scrutiny, improved water treatment, and public health awareness to reduce arsenic exposure.
- The research urges policymakers to address environmental injustices and invest in water infrastructure upgrades for public health protection.
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