A new study has revealed that chlorination levels in tap water across the U.S. and EU could raise the risk of various cancers.
Specialists incorporate chlorine in the water treatment process to get rid of infectious diseases and harmful organisms in our drinking water. But research shows that using chlorine for disinfection can create byproducts called trihalomethanes (THMs), which are linked to several health concerns, like cancer and reproductive issues. Specifically, it raises the risk of bladder cancer by 33% and colorectal cancer by 15%.
Trihalomethanes are cancer-causing contaminants that form during water treatment with chlorine and other disinfectants,” the Environmental Working Group (EWG) states on its website.
Research from the U.S. and Europe shows that drinking water with disinfection byproducts can raise the chances of getting bladder cancer, according to EWG. Some human studies have linked these byproducts to various pregnancy issues, such as miscarriage, heart defects, neural tube defects, and low birth weight.
Drinking Tap Water Might Increase Cancer Risk by Up to 33 Percent
A recent study pointed out that, based on the World Cancer Research Fund’s guidelines, there’s some evidence suggesting that THM in drinking water could raise the risk of bladder and colorectal cancer, even at levels that are currently considered safe in the US and EU. This suggests that the existing regulations might not be enough to safeguard the general public from cancer risks.
THMs are naturally produced during water treatment and both the U.S. and EU have set safety standards for drinking water (with limits of 80 parts per billion (ppb) and 100 ppb, respectively), a recent study indicates that these THM levels can be pretty dangerous. According to The Guardian, cancer risks can rise even at levels as low as 40 ppb.
The lead author from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, expressed concern, “What we’re observing is quite troubling, and we need more high-quality research.”