Water chlorination could harm unborn babies

Pregnant women drinking water treated with chlorine could be damaging the child's heart, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Birmingham's Institute of Occupational and Environmental Medicine have analysed data on almost 400,000 infants born in Taiwan.

The team found that water with higher levels of chlorine increased the risk of three common defects in babies. These were holes in the heart, cleft palate and anencephalus, which is the absence of a portion of the brain, skull and scalp.

Water chlorination is commonly used to sterilize water and reduce the risks of diseases which can be carried within it.

Jouni Jaakkola, head of the research team, said: "Whilst the benefits of water chlorination are quite evident, more research needs to be carried out to determine these side-effects."

Fort Lauderdale in the US recently reverted back to using chlorine in its drinking water system.

The city will make use of chlorination until the middle of July, reports the Westside Gazette.