Related Experiment Videos
Chlorination by-products in drinking water and menstrual cycle function
Gayle C Windham1, Kirsten Waller, Meredith Anderson
1California Department of Health Services, Division of Environmental and Occupational Disease Control, Oakland, California 94612, USA. gwindham@dhs.ca.gov
Environmental Health Perspectives
|June 5, 2003
Summary
Exposure to trihalomethanes (THM) in drinking water was associated with shorter menstrual cycles and follicular phase lengths in women. Higher THM levels correlated with a greater reduction in cycle duration, suggesting potential impacts on ovarian function.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Reproductive Epidemiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Trihalomethanes (THMs) are disinfection byproducts commonly found in drinking water.
- Previous research has suggested potential reproductive health effects of THMs, but evidence regarding menstrual cycle function is limited.
- Understanding the impact of THMs on reproductive endpoints is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between exposure to total trihalomethanes (TTHM) in drinking water and menstrual cycle parameters.
- To explore the relationship between specific THM compounds and reproductive endpoints.
- To assess the influence of tap water consumption on these associations.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study involving 403 premenopausal women.
- Daily urine sample collection for steroid metabolite analysis to determine menstrual cycle and phase lengths.
- Estimation of TTHM levels based on residence and quarterly water utility measurements.
- Assessment of water consumption, habits, and demographics through questionnaires.
Main Results:
- A monotonic decrease in mean cycle length was observed with increasing TTHM levels.
- Higher TTHM concentrations (> 60 microg/L) were associated with a significant reduction in mean cycle length (1.1 days).
- Reduced follicular phase length was also noted, with a decrement of 0.18 days per 10 microg/L increase in TTHM.
- Chlorodibromomethane and the sum of brominated compounds showed the strongest associations with cycle length changes.
Conclusions:
- THM exposure, particularly brominated compounds, may negatively affect ovarian function, leading to shorter menstrual cycles.
- The findings suggest a potential link between drinking water disinfection byproducts and alterations in reproductive hormonal balance.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these associations and elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms.