Drinking chlorine-disinfected water may cause several types of cancer, says study

Water is life’s essence, but what if the very water you consume daily is quietly poisoning you? A new study by the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology has uncovered shocking issues—long-term drinking of chlorinated water can raise the risk of a number of cancers, such as bladder, colorectal, and kidney cancer.In India, where cholera, typhoid, and dysentery are still common waterborne diseases, chlorine is extensively utilized as a disinfectant to eliminate pathogenic bacteria and viruses. It has been a cornerstone of public health and made sure millions of people had access to clean drinking water. But there is a hidden cost to this convenience.Dr. Neeraj Dhingra, Consultant in Radiation and Clinical Oncology at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, says, “Although chlorine itself is not carcinogenic, upon interaction with natural organic matter like leaves, soil, and algae in the water, it creates toxic chemical byproducts, including mostly trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). These have been associated with DNA damage, which induces cancerous cell growth