Neuroscientist | Scientific Consultant in Physics & Theoretical Biology | Author & Co-founder at VMeDx
Answered 5 months ago
Good Day, 1. Is there any health risk involved with the chemicals that are added for public drinking water treatment, such as chlorine? Yes. Chlorine is needed to kill harmful microbes; however, it reacts with natural substances in the water and forms disinfection by-products (DBPs) that, with long-term exposure, could pose potential health risks. Chlorine itself is typically in safe levels, while the by-products are the main problem. 2. Some studies have found evidence that water disinfection by-products from chlorination may increase the risks for certain cancers. What is your opinion on that? Long-term exposure to some DBPs, especially trihalomethanes (THMs), is fairly well linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer. The cancer risk posed is very small, yet so small as to give rise to strict regulatory limits aimed at balancing the benefits of disinfection against minimizing exposure to by-products. 3. Although there are regulatory limits for disinfection by-products, there may be those who do not want to expose themselves to any levels of chemicals. What can be done to reduce or eliminate these chemicals in their tap water? To minimize DBPs: Activated carbon filters (those used in pitchers or under-sink systems) are effective and easy to maintain. Reverse osmosis systems will give you much better filtration but are more expensive. Leaving it out uncovered will also allow chlorine gas to off-gas naturally. If you decide to use this quote, I'd love to stay connected! Feel free to reach me at gregorygasic@vmedx.com and outreach@vmedx.com.
1. As with every technology or product that involves chemicals, there's some level of risk. Water disinfectants like chlorine are used at very safe levels for public drinking water and regulated by experts. The main concern is that when these chemicals are used, they form other substances that could be harmful, like trihalomethanes from chlorines. Trihalomethane in particular has some potential risk of causing bladder cancers. 2. Yes, the trihalomethanes can increase the risk of having bladder cancer, but it's not a very big risk, and you'd need a lot of exposure to very high amounts of the substance. It's rarely implicated as a chief factor in bladder cancers, and there's almost no difference between people using chlorinated water and those with an untreated supply. 3. Boiling water is a very simple yet effective method of making water clean at home for drinking. Heat takes off some of these by-products and makes the water much safer for consumption.
Disinfectants, such as chlorine and chloramine, are important for keeping waterborne diseases away. Water companies use small amounts that protect public health. But these disinfectants can mix with natural stuff in the water and create other things called disinfection by products (DBPs). These DBPs are watched closely and regulated. The EPA and CDC have set limits and say the disinfectant levels used are usually safe. Studies suggest some groups of DBPs, like trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), might increase the chance of bladder cancer with long term exposure. Agencies are still checking the facts and changing rules to lower how much people are exposed to these. But, this isn't a reason to skip disinfecting water. The possible risk from DBPs is smaller than the risk of not treating water for germs. If people want to cut down on DBPs and other chemicals, here are some simple things they can do: (1) use filters with granular activated carbon (GAC) or certified carbon block filters (they work for many THMs/HAAs), (2) use reverse osmosis systems (they remove a wider range of chemicals), and (3) let cold water run for a bit before using it, and use cold water for cooking (hot water can have more chemicals in it). Look for NSF/ANSI certifications that fit the chemicals you want to remove, and keep your systems maintained as instructed.