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POLLUTION IMPACTS

Tap water and bladder cancer in China

Nature Sustainability volume 5, pages 643–644 (2022)Cite this article

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In China, rapid growth is raising concerns about the impacts of industrial pollution on drinking water and health. A recent study identifies concentrations of disinfection byproducts as a possible culprit in high levels of bladder cancer.

Disinfection byproducts form from the reaction of chlorine, the predominant drinking water disinfectant worldwide, with organic matter in the water, which forms chlorine-containing products (Cl-DBPs)3. Chlorine also reacts with bromide, usually a minor component of salts in source waters, leading to the formation of bromine-containing byproducts (Br-DBPs)3. There is nearly universal exposure of populations to DBPs, and epidemiology studies conducted outside China have detected significant associations between the consumption of tap water with high DBP concentrations and bladder cancer4.

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Fig. 1: China’s rapid industrialization has raised concerns about impacts on drinking water quality.

Liia Galimzianova / Alamy Stock Photo.

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  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA

    William A. Mitch

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  1. William A. Mitch
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Correspondence to William A. Mitch.

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The author declares no competing interests.

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Mitch, W.A. Tap water and bladder cancer in China. Nat Sustain 5, 643–644 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-022-00900-0

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