Can prenatal arsenic exposure affect your baby's birth weight and health?

What's actually in it

Arsenic enters a pregnant woman's body through drinking water, rice, and other foods. Once in the blood, it crosses the placenta and reaches the developing baby. Many water sources worldwide contain arsenic at levels that may seem low but are enough to affect fetal development. Rice is another major source because rice plants absorb arsenic from soil and water.

What the research says

A 2026 meta-analysis in Environ Res combined data from multiple studies to examine the link between prenatal arsenic exposure and birth outcomes. The pooled results showed that higher arsenic exposure during pregnancy was linked to lower birth weight and other adverse outcomes. The analysis also calculated benchmark dose levels to identify how much exposure starts causing harm.

Low birth weight puts babies at risk for breathing problems, infections, and developmental delays. Arsenic damages the placenta's ability to deliver nutrients and oxygen, which slows fetal growth.

During pregnancy, test your water for arsenic and use a filter if needed. Limit rice to a few servings per week and rinse it thoroughly before cooking. Choose varied grains like quinoa, oats, and barley.