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. 2019 Mar 1;7(1):11. doi: 10.3390/toxics7010011

Table 1.

Possible effects of exposure to toxic metals during pregnancy.

Toxic Metal Limit Values in Drinking Water (WHO) Source of Exposition Risks of Exposition During Pregnancy
Lead (Pb) 0.05 mg/L Water, food, air, soli, dust Passive diffusion to placental tissue

  • Oxidative stress

  • Placental tissue injury

  • High rate of preterm delivery
Cadmium (Cd) 0.003 mcg/L Fiber-rich foods

  • Vegetables

  • Cereals

  • Potatoes

  • Spinach

Air pollution
Tobacco smoking		 Toxic effect on villous cells with risks of

  • IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction)

  • Preterm delivery

  • Placental hemorrhage

  • Hormonal unbalance

  • Genotoxicity

  • Fetotoxicity
Mercury (Hg) 1 mcg/L Food (fish)
Cosmetic preservatives
Insecticides		 High binding on placental tissue leads to:

  • Oxidative stress

  • SGA (small for gestational age)
Arsenic 10 mcg/L Home tiles
Industry
Agriculture		 Anomalous placental vascularization and oxidative stress:

  • Miscarriage

  • Stillbirth

  • Preterm birth

  • Neonatal death