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Study Links Drinking Water Disinfection to Cancer Risks

1/31/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A recent study in Environmental Health Perspectives uncovers alarming findings: trihalomethanes (THMs), formed during chlorine disinfection of drinking water, elevate the risk of bladder cancer by 33% and colorectal cancer by 15%. Disturbingly, these risks exist even below current regulatory limits in the US and EU, highlighting an urgent need for better public health protections.

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Story summary

A recent study in Environmental Health Perspectives uncovers alarming findings: trihalomethanes (THMs), formed during chlorine disinfection of drinking water, elevate the risk of bladder cancer by 33% and colorectal cancer by 15%. Disturbingly, these risks exist even below current regulatory limits in the US and EU, highlighting an urgent need for better public health protections.