New Study Links Chlorinated Drinking Water to Increased Cancer Risk in the US and EU

A new study suggests that drinking water treated with chlorine, common in the United States and European Union, may raise cancer risks significantly. Researchers found a 33% increased risk of bladder cancer and a 15% increase in colorectal cancer associated with chlorine disinfection processes. According to Emilie Helte, a lead author from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, these findings are alarming and indicate a need for further high-quality research.

The chlorination of drinking water, which began in the early 1900s, was a public health breakthrough that reduced waterborne diseases. However, byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter—known as trihalomethanes—have been linked to health risks. The study examined data from approximately 30 studies involving 90,000 participants and revealed that men are at a higher risk than women. While the current regulatory limits for trihalomethanes are set at 80 parts per billion in the US and 100 ppb in the EU, the study indicates that risks can increase at levels as low as 40 ppb.

Helte mentioned that alternatives like ultraviolet light treatment exist but can be costly. She reassured the public to continue drinking municipal water while suggesting home filtration systems as a viable option.