Tag: Trihalomethanes

A team of researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Europe, have shown a link (by as much as 5%) to some bladder cancers by the use of chlorination for treating public drinking water in Ireland and some other European countries. In the research, chlorine is shown as being the most common chemical disinfectant used in the purification of surface water for drinking purposes. However, in the chlorination process, free chlorine reacts with organic compounds in the water which then creates byproducts including THM’s (Trihalomethanes), which are being associated with a bladder cancer risk. Countries showing the highest levels of bladder cancer cases linked to THM’s were Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Malta and Spain where chlorination is generally...

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In August last year, the EU Commission began an infringement case against Ireland for failure to ensure drinking water was safe for over 500,000 consumers from a chemical linked to cancer and other health issues. The Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Ireland for failing to fulfill its obligations under the EU Drinking Water Directive by allowing excessive levels of Trihalomethanes (THM) in some Irish drinking water supplies. According to the Commission, the Irish authorities had “not taken appropriate actions” to bring down the amount of THM in drinking water. The Commission is also pursuing the Irish state for failing to notify consumers of the health implications as required under the EU Directive. Read more..

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