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Dangerous Chemicals in Drinking Water During Pregnancy
When a woman is pregnant, she’s super careful about what she eats, drinks, and does to keep her baby healthy. But did you know that some chemicals in drinking water can be harmful to both the mom and the baby? Let’s learn about four dangerous chemicals—Bisphenol A (BPA), Phthalates, Chlorinated Solvents, and Perchlorate—and why pregnant women need to watch out for them.
1. Bisphenol A (BPA)
What is it? BPA is a chemical used to make plastics, like water bottles, and coatings inside cans. It can sneak into drinking water when plastic gets hot or is exposed to sunlight.
Why is it bad? Studies show BPA can cause serious problems during pregnancy, like:
Preeclampsia (a dangerous condition for moms)
Babies growing too slowly
Miscarriages or early births
A big study in Europe found that almost everyone has some BPA in their body, which is scary!
How to avoid it? Pregnant women can use BPA-free water bottles or ones made of glass or stainless steel to stay safe.
2. Phthalates
What are they? Phthalates are chemicals in plastics, lotions, and even some water pipes. They can mess with your body’s hormones, which control things like growth and development.
Why are they bad? A study of over 6,000 pregnant women in the U.S. showed that phthalates in their bodies increased the chance of babies being born too early (before they’re ready). Early births can lead to health problems for babies.
How to avoid them? Pregnant women can:
Use phthalate-free soaps, shampoos, and lotions.
Get a water filter that removes phthalates from drinking water.
3. Chlorinated Solvents (TCE and PCE)
What are they? These are chemicals like trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE), used for cleaning machines and dry-cleaning clothes. They can get into groundwater if they’re not thrown away properly.
Why are they bad? Drinking water with TCE or PCE during pregnancy can cause:
Heart problems in babies
Miscarriages or stillbirths
Neural tube defects (problems with a baby’s brain or spine, like spina bifida)
A famous example is Camp Lejeune, a military base in North Carolina. From the 1950s to 1980s, the water there was contaminated with TCE and PCE. Studies showed babies born there had way more birth defects—265 times higher than normal! People affected are now suing for justice because the military didn’t act fast enough.
How to avoid them? Pregnant women should use water filters and check if their water source is clean, especially near industrial areas.
4. Perchlorate
What is it? Perchlorate is a chemical used in rocket fuel, fireworks, and explosives. It can get into drinking water and mess with the thyroid, a gland that helps babies grow.
Why is it bad? Perchlorate stops the thyroid from making hormones, which can lead to:
Delays in how babies develop
Learning problems later in life
How to avoid it? Pregnant women can use water filters designed to remove perchlorate and avoid drinking untested well water.
Why This Matters
Pregnant women need to be extra careful about what’s in their drinking water because these chemicals can harm their babies. By knowing about BPA, phthalates, chlorinated solvents, and perchlorate, moms can take steps like using safe bottles, filters, or phthalate-free products to protect themselves and their babies.
You can share this info with your family to help keep everyone safe, especially if someone you know is expecting a baby! Staying informed is a great way to make a difference.