Cancer-causing pollutants detected in most tap water across US

Tap water from 48,000 public water utilities was found to contain multiple cancer-causing agents from arsenic, dioxane, chromium 6 to nitrates, according to researcher with the Environmental Working Group.

Researchers published the findings of their five year study in an online database, searchable by zip code or a local utility’s name, with findings on tap water in public water systems in all 50 states.

A search under the New York City zip code 10017 and found tap water contaminated with over 10 cancer causing chemical including Bromodichloromethane, chloroform, chromium, dichloroacetic acid, dioxane and strontium, among others.

The chemicals can come from agricultural runoff, industry, treatment byproducts, or be naturally occurring.
Early in July, stream sediments in Pennsylvania downstream from two fracking wastewater treatment facilities were found to contain radioactive material and carcinogens, according to scientists from Penn State, Colorado State and Dartmouth universities.

Their analysis detected peak concentrations of radium, chloride, barium, strontium, radium and organic compounds in Conemaugh River watershed. The two major classes of organic contaminants included nonylphenol ethoxylates, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, known carcinogens.

[link to www.rt.com (secure)]