CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — Could the water an expectant mother drinks impact the health of her unborn baby? A UNC-Chapel Hill study found a link between exposure to metals in well water and preterm birth.
Lauren Eaves, a research scientist with the Institute for Environmental Health Solutions at UNC’s Gillings School of Global Public Health, led the study which was published in the journal Environmental Health.
“Folks who are on well water are more likely to be exposed to toxic metals – metals such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, ” Eaves said. “This is because well water is not regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act, so when you’re on well water, you are responsible for your water quality.”
She said about 25 percent — or a quarter — of North Carolina’s population relies on well water and added that learning what’s in that water is especially important for expectant parents. Her research shows a link between certain metals found in well water and preterm birth.
“We do see an increased risk of preterm birth if you’re living in a census tract, whether it’s higher levels of lead or cadmium in the well water,” Eaves explained.