Chlorine in Your Drinking Water

Water & cancer

It is estimated 60% to 80% of all cancers are environmental in origin. (1) There is a growing consensus that the majority of cancers are caused by chemical carcinogens in the environment, and hence, ultimately preventable. Several studies have demonstrated the presence of chemical carcinogens in surface, ground water and municipally treated drinking water. In addition, trihalomethanes (THM’s) can actually be produced during the chlorine treatment of our drinking water.

In short, the amount of chemical compounds discharged in our water, directly or indirectly is staggering. “Over 2100 organic and inorganic drinking water contaminants have been identified in U.S. drinking water supplies since 1974. Out of these 2100, 190 of the contaminants have confirmed adverse health effects, whether carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens or toxic.” (2)

Even with the EPA drinking water standards, we cannot be assured, that the tap water we are drinking is not going to weaken our immune system or lead to cancer. Many cancer causing agents take twenty to thirty years before the effects show up. Each of us is metabolically different and reacts to carcinogenic agents in a unique way. Epstein sums it up, ‘There is no threshold for chemical carcinogens.”

Information on a variety of carcinogenic agents in drinking water: fluoridation, chlorinating and asbestos will be represented later. However, before looking at these, there is some fascinating research based on positive substances in drinking water that actually can help protect us from cancer. This research centers on four factors: total dissolved solids (TDS), hardness, pH and silica.

Burton and Cornhill analyzed the drinking water in 100 largest cities in the United States. They found a 10% to 25% reduction in the amount of cancer deaths if the drinking water contained a moderately high level of TDS (around 300 mg/L) if the water was hard, if the water had an alkaline pH (above 7.0) and if the water had 15 mg/L of silica. (3) (4)

Sauer also found a correlation between silica and cancer. Namely, the more silica the less cancer. In addition, he also uncovered that when the water was hard there was less cancer. Therefore, drinking water with higher levels of TDS and hardness results in lower heart disease and cancer modality rates.

A comment on the silica observations. In general, as researchers continue to study specific elements in drinking water and their relationship to cancer, we are going to see diverse and conflicting findings.

For example, a report from Seneca County, New York revealed high levels of selenium in the drinking water was associated with a significant decrease in cancer. (5)

When specific elements are analyzed we find diverse and at times confusing or conflicting results. This identical pattern was observed with heart disease studies. But, when we look at the more inclusive water factors such as TDS and hardness, a highly consistent, - more meaningful picture emerges.

Burton’s work shows water with an alkaline pH is another key factor in lower cancer mortality rates. Very few studies have examined the positive or negative health effects of pH. However his remarks reminds one of Schroeder’ s findings. Schroeder observed an alkaline pH resulted in less cardiovascular disease than water with an acid pH. For many years, people have thought that a soft water is a corrosive water that soft water leeches substances like lead and cadmium from water pipes.

However it is the pH that causes the corrosive action of water and not the softness, per Se. Therefore, an alkaline water should not leech heavy metals or chemicals from galvanized or PVC pipes into our drinking water.

The positive picture emerging from this research is: drink water with around 300 mg/L of TDS and drink a hard water with an alkaline pH to reduce the risk of cancer mortality.

1. Epstein SS, Zavon M. Is There a Threshold for Cancer? In Manners DX ed. Int’l Water Quality Symposium: Water Its Effects on Life Quality. Wash, D.C. Water Quality Research Council, 1974; 54-62.
2. Conacher D. Troubled Waters on Tap Organic Chemicals in Public Drinking Water Systems and the Failure of Regulations. Wash D. C: Center for study of Responsive Law, 1988:114.
3. Burton AC, Cornhill F. Correlation of Cancer Death Rates with Attitude and with the Quality of Water Supply of 100 Largest Cities in the United States. J. Toxicology and Environmental Health 1977; 465-478.
4. Burton AC, Cornhill JF, Canham B. Protection From Cancer by ‘Silica’ in the Water Supply of U.S. Cities J. Environmental Pathology and Toxicology. 1980; 4: 31-40.
5. Jansson B. Seneca County, New York: An Area With Low Cancer Mortality Rates. Cancer 1981; 48: 2542-2546.

 

Source: - Healthy Water, Martin Fox, Ph.D.