Is it true that drinking boiled tap water can cause cancer?

Tap water is often used for washing and cooking. However, some people use it to drink. However, consuming boiled tap water is linked to cancer. Is this information true? Check out the full explanation in the following review.

Can Drinking Tap Water Cause Cancer?

Tap water, which is usually supplied by regional drinking water companies, is used for drinking, bathing, washing, and cooking. In tap water there are chemical compounds such as chlorine or trihalomethane (THM). This content is accused of triggering the arrival of cancer.

Even though tap water has been boiled to remove various bacteria in it, these chemical compounds are considered to be irreversible and eventually enter the body. If it accumulates in the body, it will cause health problems.

In addition, there is an assumption that says that the compound trihalomethane can increase the risk of colorectal cancer and bladder cancer. Even, chlorine It is also thought to cause problems with the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and central nervous system.

However, until now there has been no research that proves that tap water can cause cancer. Even so, compounds trihalomethane should be limited to 0.03 mg/l in order to prevent health problems.

Seeing these facts, you don’t need to worry when using tap water. If you want to use it as drinking water, boil it for about five minutes.

The thing to note is if the water has a color that is not clear and smells, you should not use it for your daily needs.

Also Read: Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

How to Filter THM Compounds from Tap Water

Trihalomethane (THM) is a chemical compound that can form when water is disinfected with chlorine. THM occurs when chlorine react with organic matter in water.

The following is how to get rid of THM in tap water, including:

1. Increase Coagulation

This method is the best choice for controlling THM levels in water treatment plants and removing precursors by increasing coagulation. Coagulation is the process of mixing coagulants (chemicals) or precipitators into water.

The enhanced coagulation process optimizes the filtration process to maximize precursor removal. This is done by reducing the pH level to level 4, using ferrous coagulant instead of alum, and increasing the coagulant feed rate.

2. Carbon Filters

Carbon filters are one of the safest ways to remove THM in tap water. Carbon filters use charcoal or activated carbon to remove contaminants.

Carbon filtering can be done by using a water jug ​​with a carbon filter or by installing a carbon filter on the faucet.

Activated charcoal can also be used throughout a home’s water filtration system. If purchasing a carbon filter, make sure it is certified to remove THMs.

3.Reverse Osmosis

Reverse osmosis water filtration systems also work well to remove THM from tap water. This process involves water being pushed through a semipermeable membrane that filters out unwanted particles and contaminants.

This process removes THM, lead, chlorinefluoride, pesticides, chloramines, detergents, and more.

4. Boiling Water

Boiling water is a simple way to drastically reduce THM levels in tap water. Boiling water for one minute can reduce THM concentration by up to 75 percent. Boiling water for five minutes can remove 100 percent of THM.

Also Read: Is Refill Drinking Water Really Dangerous? Check Explanation

Causes of Cancer to Watch Out for

Instead of worrying about excessive tap water, there are several other things that actually have more potential to cause cancer, including:

1. Air Freshener

Air fresheners are often used in private homes, offices, and other places. Indeed, the presence of this air freshener will make the atmosphere more comfortable, but this can actually increase the risk of getting cancer.

2. Alcohol

Consuming alcoholic beverages too often has been shown to significantly increase the risk of developing cancer. In fact, drinking just two servings a day is enough to increase the risk of esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, rectal cancer, and breast cancer.

3. Cigarettes

Cigarette smoke has also been shown to damage various parts of the body. In addition, smoking can increase the risk of cancer such as lung cancer and throat cancer.

3. Pollution

Air pollution caused by vehicle exhaust, industrial gas, or even exposure to chemicals such as asbestos has been proven to cause various types of cancer, one of which is lung cancer. Other health problems such as heart disease and stroke can also be caused by this.

4. Canned Food

Canned food turns out to be at risk of triggering the arrival of cancer if consumed too often. This is caused by the presence of chemicals in canned packaging that are intended to keep food preserved but can affect hormones and the body’s DNA, which in turn triggers cancer.

5. Burnt Food

Grilled food does have a good taste. However, the part of the food that is burned until it is burnt can actually trigger the emergence of cancers in the body such as stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colon cancer.

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