A large, population-wide study published in Environment International found that prenatal exposure to arsenic in public drinking water supplies significantly increased children’s risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
In short:
- A 10-30% increased risk of type 1 diabetes was found in children following prenatal arsenic exposure at levels below 10 micrograms per liter in drinking water, the exposure limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Type 1 diabetes risk increased by 104% for children exposed to arsenic levels above 10 micrograms per liter prenatally.
- Children with above-average birth weights appeared to be more vulnerable to the effects of arsenic exposure.
Key quote:
“Efforts to lower arsenic exposure in the general population are already technically and economically feasible. It may therefore be time to revisit the guideline value of arsenic in drinking water.”
Why this matters:
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that commonly affects children, although it can develop at any age. It creates a lifelong reliance on insulin and places a significant financial and physical burden on individuals and society. The incidence of type 1 diabetes in children is on the rise globally, and while many environmental factors are under investigation, the role of environmental chemicals — especially exposure to chemicals during fetal development — is under-researched. While this study was conducted in Denmark, arsenic levels in drinking water there are similar to those in the U.S., as well as in other countries around the world.
Related EHN coverage:
- BPA exposure may impact diabetes risk, even at “safe” doses
- Common chemical affects gut microbiome and contributes to diabetes and obesity
- Understanding how the environment affects pregnant people’s health
More resources:
- The Diabetes and the Environment website summarizes research on environmental chemical exposures and the development of diabetes.
- The Prevent T1D website provides resources on preventing type 1 diabetes in people at risk.
Gilbertsdottir, Thoranna et al. for Environment International vol. 204. Oct. 2025
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