Evaluating the effects of drinking water contaminants on birth outcomes.
Official title: Nationwide evaluation of disinfection byproducts, epigenetics, and birth outcomes.
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11071320 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how chemicals that can form when drinking water is disinfected might affect babies born to pregnant women, especially in terms of their weight and whether they are born early, to help improve public health guidelines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $40,113 |
| NIH project number | 1F31ES037209-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11071320 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals living in areas served by regulated public water systems.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not consume water from public systems may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in public drinking water during pregnancy may affect birth outcomes. By analyzing data from diverse populations across the United States, the study aims to identify potential links between DBP exposure and adverse effects such as low birth weight and preterm births. The research utilizes advanced methods to assess DNA methylation as a biomarker for understanding the biological mechanisms behind these associations. This comprehensive approach seeks to fill existing gaps in knowledge and inform public health policies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved public health guidelines and regulations regarding drinking water safety, ultimately reducing the risk of adverse birth outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been regional studies on DBPs and birth outcomes, this research aims to provide nationwide insights, making it a novel and significant contribution to the field.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bloomquist, Tessa — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Bloomquist, Tessa
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.