A newly published peer-reviewed study has found measurable levels of the abortion drug mifepristone in municipal tap water samples collected from three American cities.
The research, titled “Anti-Progesterone in Environmental Water,” was authored by Elise Rose, PhD, of the Charlotte Lozier Institute, and Michael Varveris, M.D.
The study was published in the July 20 issue of Issues in Law & Medicine.
Researchers collected water samples upstream and downstream of treatment facilities as well as from municipal taps in Austin, Texas; Blacksburg, Virginia; and Carbondale, Illinois.
The results found significant anti-progesterone consistent with mifepristone in eight of the nine sampling categories, with concentrations reaching as high as 0.041 micrograms per liter, or 41 parts per trillion.
Conventional water treatment processes did not consistently remove the compound, and shockingly, in some cases, levels were higher downstream than upstream.
The study explains that mifepristone is a synthetic anti-progesterone steroid hormone classified as an endocrine-disrupting compound.
Progesterone plays critical roles in fertility, pregnancy, and fetal development.
The authors concluded that the presence of this contaminant “could affect the physiology of aquatic animals and human health, including fertility, pregnancy and fetal development,” and called for significant additional investigation into hormones and endocrine disruptors in water sources.
Students for Life Action, which inspired and supported the testing effort after commercial labs declined the work, said that the findings validate their work.
“A study inspired by Students for Life’s clean water advocacy shows that our concerns are valid,” said Students for Life President Kristan Hawkins. “In three cities where water was tested, the active metabolites of mifepristone, the Chemical Abortion Pill, were in the water. We need the EPA to nationalize this examination, especially in light of so many struggling with infertility. You don’t have to be pro-life to want crystal clear drinking water.”
SFLA Executive Vice President Tina Whittington added, “We were told we had to prove mifepristone was in the water in the U.S. to get anyone to care. On our own we started to reach out to water testing companies only to have our business declined. Our frustration became inspiration for this group to find the path to test our drinking water and while we have been vindicated, I hope the larger response is urgency to clean up our water. The harm to endangered species and potentially the human harm is incalculable.”
Dr. Rose stated, “Because of the importance of progesterone for human and animal health, the presence of anti-progesterone in environmental and tap water poses potential health risks. Everyone should be concerned that we are possibly being exposed to an endocrine-disrupting compound without our consent.”
Medication abortion using mifepristone has become the most common method of abortion in the United States.
The study has been submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency for review by its advisory committee.
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