The topic is controversial with cities regularly claiming that tap water is safe to drink and shower in, but as early as 1993 a Greenpeace study reported a link between chlorine and breast cancer.

The Greenpeace study cites the build up of organochlorines – carcinogenic byproducts produced when chlorine interacts with organic material in water – throughout the environment. Organochlorines also include chemicals such as DDT, PCBs, CFCs, and others. Almost 80 percent of chlorine use in this country is in the production of plastics, pesticides and solvents. These chemicals can persist in the environment for decades and in some cases, such as pesticide application, may be dispersed by air over huge areas. One example is the exposure of the entire Western US from activities in China carried here on the trade winds.

These chemicals, including pesticides and solvents have been found in the body tissue of individuals throughout the US. They may be toxic in tiny doses and can affect a variety of human functions. Several studies have found a link between these chemicals in blood and breast tissue and women with breast cancer.

By the late 1990s EPA began regulating the carcinogenic byproducts of chlorine in municipal water supplies. In my view, these low levels of carcinogens are extremely dangerous.

As I stated this issue remains controversial. The link between these chemicals and breast cancer remains unproven. Still, the most prudent course of action is one of caution.

What you can do:

Think twice before using pesticides. Look for alternatives like orange peel extract.

Use natural cleaning alternatives to bleach. See my Natural Cleaning Tips.

Use kitchen and shower or whole house water purification systems to remove chlorine from your drinking/cooking and bathing water.

If you live in an agricultural area close your windows and turn off your air conditioning when the farmers are spraying.

Further research on this issue has been done and I will update this article periodically as I’m able to review the findings.

My name is Jim McMahon and I help people achieve healthy water in their homes.