Avoidable Exposures - Troubled Waters

Avoidable Exposures - Troubled Waters (for breast cancer survivors)

We have a problem: a drinking problem. Turn on your kitchen water faucet or
purchase a leading brand of bottled water and what do you get? It all looks and
tastes like clear, clean water, but you might be surprised to learn that what we see is
not what we get. In fact, in 2003 the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
reported that although a vast number of contaminants affect the country’s water
supplies, some occur with far greater frequency than the rest and are directly related
to cancer:

• Toxic chemicals include arsenic, radioactive radon, the herbicide atrazine,

and perchlorate from rocket fuel, along with other suspected carcinogens,
such as the gasoline additive methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and
perchloroethylene (PCE). PCE transmitted from the plastic linings of
asbestos-cement water-distribution pipes slightly to moderately increases
breast cancer risk (Aschengrau, Rogers, and Ozonoff 2003).

• While disinfection of water supplies has dramatically cut down on

waterborne illnesses, decaying organic matter reacts with chlorine to
produce a host of other undesirable chemicals, known primarily as
trihalomethanes (THMs). Chloroform is one of the better-known THMs, all
of which are carcinogenic even in small amounts, as noted two decades ago
when the American Journal of Public Health published a report (Morris et
al.) showing a 15 to 35 percent increase in certain types of cancer among
people who drink chlorinated water.

• Acrylamide, a carcinogenic compound that is formed when carbohydrates

are fried at high temperatures (think French fries, doughnuts, potato chips),
is also a by-product of the disinfection process, where it plays a part in the
removal of solids from source water (EPA 2005).

In 2009 the EWG disclosed that more than 260 contaminants had been detected in
tap water samples, 53 of which were linked to cancer.

Hitting the Bottle

In response to fears about tap water, we have turned to bottled water as our
reprieve for contaminated water and as a convenient alternative to commercial
beverage choices when we’re away from home. But, as lax as the EPA has been
about tap water, the federal regulations for bottled water are even looser concerning
testing for microbial agents and mandated disinfection. What’s more, when plastic
water bottles get hot, compounds in the plastic (also known as phthalates) can leach
into the water, creating a high dose of xenoestrogens (chemical estrogenic
compounds).

Tips for Safe Water

Don’t worry; there are ways to make your drinking water safe and healthy. But
to make an informed decision about the right water-treatment system for your
home, you must know what is in your water.

You can start by calling your water supplier or health department and requesting
copies of water quality reports. Find out how often the water is tested, what it is
tested for, and whether any violations are on file. You can also find out about any
known hazards, such as lead, that might get into the water between the treatment
plant and your tap. The best filter is inadequate if it doesn’t filter out the right
substances. Filters that have been independently certified to remove particular
contaminants are your best bets. NSF International (nsf.org) is probably the bestknown
organization for setting standards for water filters and certifying them.

Carbon filters, reverse osmosis filters, and water ionizers all have different
benefits and disadvantages, and range widely in price. When you are ready to buy, it
is best to consult with an independent professional who can help you decide what’s
right for you based on an assessment of your tap water, your health concerns, and
your budget. You might also consider buying a showerhead filter, because many
contaminants can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled in steam.

For a compendium of excellent information on both municipal water and well
water, you can also consult the consumer information about water on the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website: water.epa .gov/drink/info/.