New Study Shows Where Cancer-Causing Chemicals are Polluting Drinking Water for 200 Million Americans

A new report and map by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) shows where cancer-causing chemicals are polluting the drinking water of over 200 million Americans. The map shows that these risks impact the tap water for much of North Carolina.

The map focuses on arsenic, chromium-6 and nitrate, all of which have been shown to increase the risk of cancer and other health problems. Chromium-6 is primarily produced by industrial processes and is carcinogenic in even low concentrations. It’s the pollutant made infamous in the movie “Erin Brockovich”. 

The EWG study further shows that public health would benefit from a regulatory approach that recognized the frequency of contamination of drinking water by more than one carcinogenic substance at problem levels. Grouping contaminants would support water utilities’ investment in treatment technologies that can be enhanced to reduce multiple pollutants simultaneously. 

See the map of these identified cases of drinking water contamination by these chemicals.

Lest we forget, the carcinogens specifically studied in this report are in addition to the “forever chemicals” including PFAS and PFOS. The NC Environmental Management Commission (EMC) last week took a half-step forward on addressing the threat caused by some of these chemicals.