"Most of the risk is from naturally occurring arsenic, the byproducts of chemicals used to disinfect water and contaminants"

"Contaminated tap water causes 100,000 cancer cases in the US over a lifetime, according to a new study from scientists with the Environmental Working Group.

Most of the cancer risk is from naturally occurring arsenic, the byproducts of chemicals used to disinfect water and radioactive contaminants, according to the analysis, which was published in the peer-reviewed journal Heylion.

“We want people to realize that water that meets legal specifications may still cause health risks based on the latest science,” said Sydney Evans, lead author of the study. “This is a concern nationwide, whether urban or rural, with a small or large [water system].”

The number of cancer cases from water contamination is small compared with the total number of cancer cases in the US."

Emily Holden reports for the Guardian September 19, 2019. [2]