Exposure to certain chemicals or organic compounds is known to increase cancer risk, but one common source of potential exposure that is often overlooked is the water in your home. Even if you don’t routinely drink the water, certain compounds, chemicals, and materials can either be absorbed through the skin, or bind to the skin, making later ingestion likely.
There are several possible contaminants in water that could raise your risk of cancer:
- Arsenic: Arsenic is a heavy metal that occurs naturally in soil and water, and which can be highly toxic to humans. Exposure to arsenic is a known risk factor for several cancers[1], including skin, bladder, and lung. Most commonly found in well water, arsenic can also be present in municipal water supplies. Long-term exposure to arsenic at levels below the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard[2] can still increase cancer risk; testing for arsenic is important no matter how your water is sourced.
- Lead: While the effects of lead on cancer risk require further study, both the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the EPA have classified it as a likely carcinogen. Long term exposure can damage the nervous system, brain, and kidneys; these effects are particularly apparent in children, whose nervous systems are still developing. Lead can enter the water supply in many ways, and even when lead is not present in groundwater, it may be introduced during transport, as it was historically used in the pipes and solder that built municipal water systems.
- Nitrates and Nitrites: Often used in fertilizers, these chemicals have been shown to increase the risk of colon, stomach, and kidney cancer, among others.
- Cadmium: Cadmium exposure has been tied to several cancers, most strongly lung, kidney, prostate, and pancreatic. Though smoking is the most common vector of cadmium exposure, its use in agricultural applications means it can enter the water supply as runoff.
- Radon[3]: Radon is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless radioactive gas which forms naturally from the breakdown of uranium in the environment. Radon gas can be released from water that contains radon, increasing your household radon levels; radon gas is a leading cause of lung cancer, second only to smoking. Radon can also be ingested directly when it is found in the water supply, increasing the risk of organ and tissue cancers, particularly stomach cancer.
- Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” are ubiquitous in soil and water, and have been found in the most remote environments on earth. While their links to cancer are still being studied, PFAS have already been convincingly linked to thyroid, kidney, testicular, and pancreatic cancers, as well as a host of serious health problems that are known to increase one’s cancer risk. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) estimates that over 200 million Americans are exposed to PFAS via their drinking water, an exposure vector that has been shown to carry significant risk in various studies. [Learn more about PFAS here]
Many local or state health departments offer free water testing for specific contaminants, especially in areas where there may be concerns about water quality. If you use a private well for drinking water, local health departments may provide free or discounted testing for common contaminants such as nitrates, bacteria, and arsenic. Some regions also offer free testing for certain contaminants in areas with known water quality issues. Contact your local health department or water utility company to inquire about free water testing programs in your area. At-home testing kits are also available for purchase online, many for less than $25.
.svg)
