Arsenic in Pregnancy Water Gave Mice Offspring Anxiety

Pregnant mice that drank water with low-dose arsenic had offspring that showed signs of anxiety and depression by one month of age.

Low Dose, Big Brain Effects

Researchers gave pregnant mice drinking water containing 0.5 ppm sodium arsenite throughout pregnancy. When the pups reached postnatal day 30, they underwent behavioral testing, according to a 2026 study in Food Chem Toxicol.

The arsenic-exposed offspring showed significant anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors in open field, forced swim, and tail suspension tests. These are standard measures of mental health in animal research.

The Brain Was Already Damaged at Birth

When researchers examined brain tissue from newborns (postnatal day 1), they found molecular disruption had already started. Key pathways were affected: calcium signaling, synaptic communication, and neuroactive receptor interactions. The arsenic disrupted how brain cells talk to each other before the animals were even born.

Arsenic is found in well water, rice, and some fruit juices. It's one of the most common contaminants in drinking water worldwide.

What You Can Do

Test your tap water for arsenic, especially if you use well water. Use a reverse osmosis filter. Rinse rice before cooking and use excess water. And build a safer start for your baby with non-toxic baby products.

Also see glass food storage for safer alternatives.

Source: Wang Z, Qiao W, Liu R, et al. (2026). Food Chem Toxicol.