772-283-4767Can Tap Water Give You Cancer?
Many Americans prefer using bottled water instead of drinking their tap water because they either don’t like the taste or odor or don’t trust that their tap water is 100% safe. While most people are told by our officials that their tap water is safe to drink, the fact is there are chemicals and contaminants present whether you get your water from a well or from a municipal supplier that can affect your health over time. Let’s look at what’s in your water and what the data says about tap water and cancer risks.
What’s In Your Tap Water?
As mentioned most people’s tap water contains some level of contaminants and chemicals; however, homeowners are often unaware what’s in their drinking water and what dangers they pose.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) put out a tap water database that collected data from mandatory testing of water supplies from 2014 to 2019 throughout all fifty states and the District of Columbia. The data reveals, that when some Americans drink a glass of tap water, they’re also potentially getting a dose of industrial or agricultural contaminants linked to cancer, brain, and nervous system damage, fertility problems, hormone disruption, and other health harms.
Now, the obvious question is: “Why don’t we do something about this?” Several problems contribute to substandard and chemical-laden drinking water, the first being that many municipalities still rely on outdated lead pipes and don’t have the money to replace them. The second reason is that the federal water safety standards are long outdated and haven’t kept up with the latest scientific data on water contaminants and what levels can be tolerated without ill effects. All one has to do is look at the ongoing problem in Flint, Michigan, to see the people we’ve trusted to ensure our safety have dropped and are continuing to drop the ball regarding water safety. So, what could be lurking in your drinking water?
According to the Water Quality Association, the common waterborne contaminants are:
- Aluminum
- Ammonia
- Arsenic
- Barium
- Cadmium
- Chloramine
- Chromium
- Copper
- Fluoride
- Bacteria & Viruses
- Lead
- Nitrates/Nitrites
- Mercury
- Radium
- Selenium
- Uranium
The problem is that most of these contaminants don’t produce an odor or taste to alert you of their presence.
Can Your Tap Water Give You Cancer?
Now that you know what could be in your drinking water, it’s natural to want to know what effects these toxins and contaminants can have on our health. In the data mentioned earlier from the EWG, they found at least 22 carcinogens in tap unfiltered water, including arsenic, radionuclides like uranium and radium, and byproducts from disinfectants. Most tap waters tested indeed meet the federal guidelines for safety, and they don’t pose an immediate health risk; the problem is prolonged exposure from years of ingesting them. The World Health Organizationsays that long-term exposure to arsenic can lead to skin cancer, lesions, lung
cancer, and bladder cancer, among other health problems. As we’ve seen, arsenic is one of the many contaminants that could be in your tap water. Other problems associated with tap water are contaminants that come from aging pipes and chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The bottom line about tap water is that it may take years before your health problems begin.
How To Get Safer Drinking Water
The EWG suggests installing a water filter to remove water contaminants. Water filters come in several varieties depending on your needs and budget, but the most common are:
- Carbon Filters
- Reverse Osmosis
- Water Softeners
While there are many brands of filters on the market, most of them use one or more primary technologies to remove harmful contaminants in the water, making it safer to drink. If you’re convinced about getting a filtration system for your tap water, here are a few points to keep in mind.
When purchasing a filter, check to see if it’s been certified to remove the particular contaminant you’re concerned about from a reputable third-party source. If you’re unsure about the quality of your tap water, call for a water test to find out exactly what’s in it so you can make a better decision when purchasing a water filter.
Atlantic Coast Water Clinic Can Help
At Atlantic Coast Water Clinic, we’re a trusted water treatment company serving the Treasure Coast since 1976. We specialize in installing and maintaining high-quality water filtration systems, water softeners, odor eliminators, reverse osmosis, and commercial water systems. We also stand behind our systems with the most comprehensive warranties in the industry. Our technicians are committed to helping our customers get the cleanest, safest, and best-tasting water from their faucets. If you’re concerned about what’s in your drinking water and how it could negatively impact your family’s health, contact us today to schedule a complete water analysis and recommendation at 772-283-4767.