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Study finds artificial chemicals that can cause cancer in 99% of bottled drinking water
A new study has found that our drinking water is full of potentially dangerous ‘forever chemicals’ which don’t easily break down naturally.
Scientifically known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), there are more than 2700 of these artificial chemicals which are widely used in everyday products from food to packaging and makeup – and carry some significant health risks.
‘Forever chemicals’ found in world’s drinking water
The study published by the American Chemical Society looked for 10 different PFAS in tap water from the UK and China, as well as bottled water from 15 different countries and found that the world’s water is full of these chemicals.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), primarily used in electronics, textiles and non-stick cookware, and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), used to make products resistant to stains, grease, soil, and water, were the most frequently detected. 99% of bottled water tested contained them.
PFOA is classified by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as “carcinogenic to humans,” meaning it causes cancer. PFOS is also “possibly carcinogenic to humans”.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, and Hainan University, Haikou, also found high concentrations of other PFAS in both tap and bottled water. However, Chinese tap water had more PFAS than British.
These PFAS carry health risks including cancer
As explained by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, PFAS can case:
- Kidney and testicular cancer
- Increases in cholesterol levels
- Changes in liver enzymes
- Lower antibody response to some vaccines
- Pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia
- Small decreases in birth weight
This can lead to liver damage, thyroid disease, obesity and fertility issues, the European Environment Agency adds.
PFAS in water ‘does not appear a serious health risk’
However, the study states that the estimated human exposure of PFAS in drinking water “does not appear serious human health risk” as the traces are so small. They also found that boiling can reduce PFAS concentrations in water by 50-90%.
“Our findings highlight the widespread presence of PFAS in drinking water and the effectiveness of simple treatment methods to reduce their levels,” co-author Professor Stuart Harrad, from the University of Birmingham, said.
“Either using a simple water filtration jug or boiling the water removes a substantial proportion of these substances.”
He added that PFAS levels in most water samples are “not a major health concern,” but “ongoing monitoring and regulation” are needed to protect public health, concluding: “This is a significant step towards ensuring safer drinking water for communities worldwide.”
