Clean drinking water is essential for good health, but many communities across the United States are facing challenges with water contamination. A recent study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) suggests that a multi-contaminant approach to water treatment could prevent over 50,000 lifetime cancer cases in the U.S.
Traditionally, regulations have focused on addressing one contaminant at a time. However, the EWG study highlights the benefits of treating multiple pollutants simultaneously. By analyzing data from thousands of community water systems, researchers found that cancer-causing chemicals like arsenic and chromium-6 often coexist and can be effectively treated using the same technologies.
In particular, systems that reduce both chromium-6 and arsenic levels could significantly reduce the number of cancer cases compared to addressing each contaminant individually. This approach not only improves public health outcomes but also demonstrates the efficiency of tackling multiple contaminants at once.
Chromium-6, famously portrayed in the movie “Erin Brockovich,” is linked to serious health risks such as stomach cancer, liver damage, and reproductive harm. Arsenic, another common water contaminant, is associated with various cancers and developmental issues. Addressing these pollutants together can have a more significant impact on reducing health risks.
Nitrate, another common contaminant in drinking water, is often overlooked but poses significant health risks, including cancer and birth-related complications. The current federal limit for nitrate in drinking water has not been updated in over 30 years, despite mounting evidence of its harmful effects at lower levels.
The EWG report calls for smarter water rules that consider the benefits of treating multiple contaminants simultaneously. Small and rural water systems, which often face financial and technical challenges in implementing new treatment technologies, would benefit the most from updated regulations and increased funding support.
New water treatment technologies, such as ion exchange and reverse osmosis, offer effective solutions for removing contaminants like nitrate, chromium-6, and arsenic from drinking water. By investing in these technologies and updating regulatory frameworks, we can improve water quality, protect public health, and promote equity in access to clean drinking water.
Consumers can also take steps to protect themselves by installing water filters that target specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange technologies are particularly effective for removing chromium-6, arsenic, and nitrate. Regularly changing water filters is essential to ensure their effectiveness in removing contaminants.
Overall, addressing multiple contaminants in drinking water is crucial for protecting public health and advancing equity in access to clean water. By adopting a multi-contaminant approach to water treatment and implementing updated regulations, we can prevent thousands of cancer cases and improve the overall quality of our drinking water.
