Summary

A recent meta-analysis of 30 studies involving 90,000 participants found that water chlorination levels common in the US and EU likely increase bladder cancer risk by 33% and colorectal cancer risk by 15%.

Chlorine reacts with organic matter to form trihalomethanes (THM), toxic byproducts present in nearly all public water systems.

Although chlorine disinfection has reduced waterborne diseases, these findings pose regulatory challenges.

Alternatives exist but are costly. Experts recommend continued tap water use with effective filtration, such as granulated activated carbon.

  • @shalafi
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    54 days ago

    OK, we’ll figure out how to filter billions of gallons of water fast enough to serve the population. Now your water bill goes from $20 to $120.

    So what will poor people do? And keep in mind, almost no jurisdiction allows one to stay in a home with no water service.

    • @CrayonRosary
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      14 days ago

      So what will poor people do?

      Get subsidies, hopefully.

      • @[email protected]
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        14 days ago

        Lmao, not sure if you’re trolling or just living under a rock. Subsidies for the POOR in Trump’s US?

        • @CrayonRosary
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          24 days ago

          Water service is local. The federal government doesn’t factor into it. Counties and states can do the subsidising.

          Also, I’m sick of this exhausting doom and gloom. “We can’t do anything, ever, because Trump.”

          • @shalafi
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            14 days ago

            They’re busy dismantling and taking control of the federal government, and doing so at astonishing speed. They’ll drill into state affairs soon enough.