A recent study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health has uncovered a chemical contaminant in the UK’s drinking water, that causes over 1,300 cases of bladder cancer a year, according to iNews. The study conducted between 2005 and 2018 tested water supplies in 28 EU countries.
The chemical is a byproduct of disinfectant in water, known as trihalomethanes (THM), which is a known cause of the cancer. The contamination is responsible for 9.2 per cent of cases of bladder cancer in the UK, and similar contamination across Europe has caused 6,500 cases, just under 5 per cent of the total across the EU.
Efforts have been made over the past 20 years to reduce the amount of THMs in water supplies, but the current levels still pose a substantial risk. By optimising water treatment practices, disinfection, and distribution, it is hoped to be prevented.
The study shows that while levels of THM across all countries remains below the limits set by the EU, nine countries – the UK, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain, all exceeded maximum limits.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the top three countries with the lowest levels of THMs are Denmark with less than 0.1 per cent, followed by the Netherlands with 0.1 per cent and Germany with 0.2 per cent. The highest are Cyprus with 23 per cent, Malta with 17 per cent, and Ireland with 17 per cent.
For toll chemical contract processing, get in touch with us today.