'No risk' to babies from chlorine

Tap water is constantly tested

The government says there is no evidence of a risk to unborn babies from their mothers drinking tap water.

Renewed consideration of research into possible pregnancy problems from the use of chlorine in water concluded there was no danger.

The Department of Health said further studies would be carried out.

Water UK, which represents water suppliers, said companies met all the required regulations and it was confident tap water was safe.

Studies have looked at the possibility that chlorine in tap water causes miscarriages, stillbirths and low birth weights.

The evidence does not point to a risk that chlorination of tap water causes harm during pregnancy Department of Health

A Norwegian study found no association between foetal growth and exposure to chlorinated water.

But research of births in Massachusetts suggested a fall in birth weights for children of mothers exposed to chlorine.

All UK water companies use chlorine in at least some of their supplies.

The latest study from the UK's Small Area Health Statistics Unit, which looked at the possibility of an association between drinking water and adverse birth outcomes, was considered by the Committee on Toxicity (COT).

Unchanged

A Department of Health spokeswoman said the committee had looked at the issue before in 1999 and 2001 and the latest meeting concluded that advice to the public should remain unchanged.

She said: "That is, that overall the evidence does not point to a risk that chlorination of tap water causes harm during pregnancy.

"Studies have shown that even if there is a risk, it must be very small."

She said the health benefits of chlorination in preventing disease were clear.

The spokeswoman added: "Water companies already take steps to minimise the level of chlorination products in the water, and they should continue to do so.

"But the evidence does not support advising individuals to drink less tap water. Nevertheless, further research will be undertaken."

The COT will discuss a study into possible links with congenital anomalies in about a year's time.

A spokesman for Water UK said of the COT decision: "The most important thing is they again said there is no evidence that the presence of chlorine bi-products increases the risk to the unborn child."

He added: "We have some of the best tap water in the world."

Pressure group The National Pure Water Association said the fact that governments had introduced laws about levels of chlorine in water indicated they knew there was a problem with it.

A spokesman said: "You have to have some chlorine in water, but you can reduce the levels with investment in new technologies.

"But the water companies are not going to do that unless they are forced to."