Can Contaminated Water Cause a Miscarriage?

Yes, contaminated water exposure can cause a miscarriage. However, this area of study is still developing. Scientists know that various contaminants increase the risk of miscarriage with varying degrees of confidence. Some contaminants are riskier than others. Read on for more information about this subject.

Bacterial Contaminated Water

Bacteria are tiny organisms that exist everywhere on Earth. They contribute to ecosystems, regulate our gut biomes, and, in some cases, cause disease. Research suggests that certain types of bacteria can lead to miscarriages in pregnant mothers.

Escherichia Coli

According to Mayo Clinic, Escherichia coli, a bacteria commonly referred to as E. coli, usually causes the following conditions:

• Nausea
• Cramping
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea 

These bacteria often inhabit groundwater sources and can appear in food supplies and municipal water systems. It usually doesn’t harm pregnant women. However, in extreme cases, E. coli consumption may cause:

• Neonatal meningitis
• Severe bleeding that leads to a miscarriage
• Dehydration, which can put a fetus at risk

Listeria

Listeria is a bacteria that causes listeriosis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 1600 Americans catch listeriosis. Of these 1600, 260 typically die.

Listeria presents a unique danger to pregnant mothers, causing:

• Sepsis
• Preterm deliveries
• Chorioamnionitis (placenta inflammation)
• Miscarriages

Symptoms of listeriosis in pregnancy are typically mild, presenting as a weak flu. Therefore, if you’re pregnant with flu symptoms, it’s best to seek medical attention. Catching listeriosis early could prevent a miscarriage. 

Salmonella

Salmonella is typically linked to foodborne disease outbreaks. The most recent U.S outbreak was caused by contaminated food supplies. However, like the other bacteria noted here, it can still appear in water supplies.

Salmonella often manifests as a minor flu in healthy adults. In pregnant women, it may lead to septicemia (a condition dangerous to fetuses and newborns) in isolated cases.

Bacteria and Pregnancy, Should You Be Worried?

All these bacteria can make their way into contaminated water. However, in developed nations like the U.S., they’re more likely to appear in foods like deli meat, eggs, or raw fish.

Researchers have argued that modern food standards are so high that the risk of bacterial infection from food is quite low. Therefore, if you’re pregnant, stay vigilant, but don’t worry obsessively about bacterial infection.

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Chemical Toxicants Contaminated Water

The rise of industry throughout the U.S has increased the number of chemical toxicants in our water supplies. Many of these contaminants are odorless and colorless, meaning they can lurk in drinking water for years before detection. These are a few common contaminants known to impact pregnant mothers:

• Arsenic
• Chromium
• Lead
• Pesticides
• Radioactive contaminants

Case Study: Flint, Michigan

In 2014, the city of Flint, Michigan, switched its water supply in an effort to save costs. The new water system was contaminated with lead and other chemical contaminants. For 18 months, the residents of Flint suffered from rashes and high levels of lead exposure. Lead is known to cause a range of conditions, including developmental delays and other medical conditions.

The jury is still out on the impact of the Flint water crisis on pregnant mothers. Initially, research suggested that the city saw an increase in fetal deaths, including miscarriages. 

However, a study in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology argued that “Neither model simulations nor vital records data are consistent with the hypothesis that there was an uptick in fetal deaths or decreased fertility attributable to water lead exposure during the [Flint water crisis].”

Regardless of the varying scientific opinions, though, the CDC does state that lead exposure is risky to pregnant mothers, potentially causing:

• Learning difficulties in newborns
• Increase the risk of miscarriage
• Premature births or low birth weight

In 2021, the residents of Flint, Michigan, earned a victory when the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan approved a partial settlement. This is not the first lawsuit associated with contaminated water, and it likely won’t be the last.

Case Study: Camp Lejeune

Camp Lejeune is a network of military installations located south of Jacksonville, North Carolina. Between 1953 and 1987, this network was exposed to a range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including:

• Trichloroethylene (TCE)
• Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)
• Benzene
• Vinyl chloride

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), exposure to these VOCs increases the risk of “infertility, miscarriage, premature labor, and other reproductive health outcomes.”

Recently, the federal government addressed this water crisis by passing the “Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022” in August of 2022. This law removes the government’s legal immunity, meaning those impacted by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune can now file lawsuits. Prior to this law, Camp Lejeune victims were barred from pursuing compensation from the government.

Legal teams throughout the U.S. are now preparing to pursue lawsuits against the government.

Consult a Contaminated Water Lawyer at Our Firm Today

If you experienced a miscarriage due to contaminated water exposure, you may qualify for legal action against the liable party. These cases are complicated, so we can discuss your eligibility during a free initial consultation.

Contact Van Law to get started today.

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