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Drinking water is commonly disinfected with chlorine gas. (wellness) |
Long-term exposure to byproducts formed during the chlorination of drinking water can increase the risk of developing a type of blood cancer by up to 70%.
Trihalomethanes and bromodichloromethane are typical byproducts of the chlorination process. To assess the impact of drinking water quality on health, the National Institute of Public Health of Canada compared data related to nearly 700 patients with leukemia to about 3,500 healthy individuals. Information about water quality was collected over a span of 30 years.
The results indicated that exposure to trihalomethanes at a minimum concentration of 40 micrograms per liter increased the risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by 72%, according to the lead researcher, Patrick Levallois.
However, long-term consumption of chlorinated drinking water reduces the risk of developing chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) by up to 40%. Further analysis revealed that long-term exposure to chlorinated water also has protective effects against certain other types of blood cancers.
According to the research team, the trihalomethanes and bromodichloromethane produced during chlorination may be the cause of AML. However, the protective effect against CLL and other forms remains uncertain.
Mỹ Linh (according to Reuters)
