Chlorine in the bathwater is linked to cancer

[Guest guest]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=4317\

77 & in_page_id=1770

 

Low levels of chlorine in tap water used for bathing can almost double the risk

of bladder cancer, a study claims.

 

Scientists found chemical by-products from mains water containing the

disinfectant can be absorbed through the skin in the bath or shower and

accumulate in the bladder.

 

Swimming in public pools can also present a risk because chlorine levels are

much higher.

 

The risk is caused by chemical by-products called THMs which are produced when

chlorine is added to water.

 

Researchers found that those living in areas with high-chlorine content water,

who bathed in it regularly, were 83 per cent more likely to get a tumour than

those in low-chlorine areas.

 

Those who drank high-chlorine tap water were 35 per cent more likely to get

bladder cancer.

 

Regular swimming in pools increased the risk by 57 per cent.

 

Absorbing chlorine through the skin is thought to be more dangerous because it

bypasses the liver, which filters out many harmful chemicals when water is

swallowed.

 

Chlorine has been used to disinfect Britain's household water supplies for 100

years.

 

Regulations say THMs must not exceed 100 micrograms per litre. The Spanish

study, reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology, suggests only 50

micrograms - present in some areas of the UK - is required to increase the

tumour risk.

 

Researchers at the Municipal Institute of Medical Research in Barcelona compared

1,200 men and women with bladder cancer to a healthy group, questioning each

about their exposure to chlorine.

 

Lead researcher Dr Cristina Villenueva said: " Inhaling or absorbing THMs may

lead to a higher concentration in target organs, such as the kidney, bladder or

colon.

 

" Experimental studies have shown a significant uptake of THMs when showering,

bathing or swimming in pools. If confirmed, this has significant public health

implications. "

 

Bladder cancer, of which the single biggest cause is smoking, kills nearly 5,000

in the UK every year.

 

A spokesman for the National Pure Water Association said: " There is now a lot of

research on chlorine in drinking water that shows we should be concerned.

 

" Water firms use the cheapest products possible to disinfect water, such as

chlorine. Yet there are safer methods used by other countries, such as ozone gas

or ultraviolet light. "

 

In 1999, a government committee decided against removing chlorine from water,

despite evidence of a slight increase in the risk of bladder cancer.

 

A spokesman for the Drinking Water Inspectorate said the amount of THMs in water

ranged across the country from one microgram per litre up to 50 - but no higher.

" This report hasn't changed the World Health Organisation " s view that the

evidence is not sufficient to support chlorine being the cause of bladder

cancer, " she added.

 

Ed Yong, campaigns officer at Cancer Research UK, said: " This is one of a number

of studies suggesting this link, but larger studies are needed before we can say

for sure if high exposure to chlorinated water can cause bladder cancer.

 

" In the meantime, people shouldn't be worried every time they step into the

bath, shower or swimming pool. Any potential cancer risks must be weighed

against the risk of the many infectious diseases caused by improperly

disinfected water. "

 

Three years ago chlorine in water was linked to a risk of birth defects or

miscarriages

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Speaking of Chlorinated water, I've been looking for a water filter I can put on

the water pipes that go to the hot water heater and the cold water to the bath

tub. There are so many out there I was just wondering if someone here has one

they like or can suggest a brand that's a good quality and value.

 

D.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

One way to remove Chlorine from the Bathwater is thus:

 

" Fill Bathtub all the way with HOT WATER ONLY; (do not use any Cold);

instead; just let the Bathtub cool to the temperature you want;

apparantly the chlorine will be released with the evaportaing steam.

 

, " vergil "

<vergil7 wrote:

>

> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?

in_article_id=431777 & in_page_id=1770

>

> Low levels of chlorine in tap water used for bathing can almost

double the risk of bladder cancer, a study claims.