Water Pollution and Cancer: An Updated Review
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Published
Oct 31, 2023
Abstract
Water pollution refers to the contamination of water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and groundwater with harmful substances, leading to serious health hazards. One major concern linked to water pollution is its association with cancer. Numerous studies have substantiated that exposure to contaminants in polluted water sources can significantly increase the risk of developing various types of cancers. Chemicals like heavy metals (e.g., arsenic, lead), industrial pollutants (e.g., benzene, vinyl chloride), and pesticides have been detected in contaminated water supplies worldwide. These carcinogens not only contaminate the water but also accumulate in aquatic organisms consumed by humans, ultimately entering our food chain. Certain chemicals act as mutagens or tumor promoters, damaging DNA and causing genetic mutations that can lead to cancer development. Additionally, long-term exposure to these pollutants can weaken the immune system’s ability to fight off cancer cells effectively. Consequently, preventive actions must be undertaken swiftly at domestic, industrial, and governmental levels to reduce this pervasive threat through regulated waste disposal practices and advanced purification technologies.
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Keywords
Water Pollution, Chemicals, Health, Cancer, Preventive Strategies
References
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18. Bhagwat VR. Safety of water used in food production. Food Safety and Human Health 2019:219-247. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-816333-7.00009-6
19. Summers JK, Smith LM, Case JL, Linthurst RA. A review of the elements of human well-being with an emphasis on the contribution of ecosystem services. Ambio 2012; 41(4):327-40. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-012-0256-7
20. VanDerslice J. Drinking water infrastructure and environmental disparities: evidence and methodological considerations. Am J Public Health 2011; 101 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S109-S114. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2011.300189
21. Boutayeb A. The burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases in developing countries. Handbook Dis Burden Quality Life Meas 2010:531-546. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-78665-0_32
22. Alengebawy A, Abdelkhalek ST, Qureshi SR, Wang MQ. Heavy metals and pesticides toxicity in agricultural soil and plants: Ecological risks and human health implications. Toxics 2021; 9(3):42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics9030042
23. Shankar S, Shanker U, Shikha. Arsenic contamination of groundwater: A review of sources, prevalence, health risks, and strategies for mitigation. ScientificWorldJournal 2014; 2014:304524. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/304524
24. Sasman M, Dolan CB, Villegas D, Eyob E, Barrett C. The influence of marginalization on cultural attitudes and trash disposal practices in Esfuerzo de Paraíso of the Dominican Republic: A qualitative interview study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18(6):2872. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18062872
25. Englande AJ Jr, Krenkel P, Shamas J. Wastewater treatment & water reclamation. Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences 2015; 2015:B978-0-12-409548-9.09508-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.09508-7
26. Nelson S, Drabarek D, Jenkins A, Negin J, Abimbola S. How community participation in water and sanitation interventions impacts human health, WASH infrastructure and service longevity in low-income and middle-income countries: A realist review. BMJ Open 2021; 11(12):e053320. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053320
27. Chu EW, Karr JR. Environmental impact: Concept, consequences, measurement. Reference Module in Life Sciences 2017; 2017:B978-0-12-809633-8.02380-3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809633-8.02380-3
28. Zhang Y, Liu M, Wang J, Han K, Han F, Wang B, Xie S, Yuan C, Zhao M, Li S, Wang J. Bibliometric analysis of the association between drinking water pollution and bladder cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1170700. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2023.1170700
29. Letašiová S, Medve'ová A, Šovčíková A, Dušinská M, Volkovová K, Mosoiu C, Bartonová A. Bladder cancer, a review of the environmental risk factors. Environ Health. 2012; 11 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-069X-11-S1-S11
30. Moody EC, Coca SG, Sanders AP. Toxic metals and chronic kidney disease: A systematic review of recent literature. Curr Environ Health Rep 2018; 5(4):453-463. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-018-0212-1
31. Kim NH, Hyun YY, Lee KB, Chang Y, Ryu S, Oh KH, Ahn C. Environmental heavy metal exposure and chronic kidney disease in the general population. J Korean Med Sci 2015; 30(3):272-277. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2015.30.3.272. Erratum in: J Korean Med Sci 2015; 30(4):507. Rhu, Seungho [corrected to Ryu, Seungho].
32. Yang JD, Hainaut P, Gores GJ, Amadou A, Plymoth A, Roberts LR. A global view of hepatocellular carcinoma: Trends, risk, prevention and management. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 16(10):589-604. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41575-019-0186-y
33. McGlynn KA, Petrick JL, El-Serag HB. Epidemiology of hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 2021; 73 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):4-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.31288
34. Pullella K, Kotsopoulos J. Arsenic exposure and breast cancer risk: A re-evaluation of the literature. Nutrients 2020; 12(11):3305. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12113305
35. Wolff MS, Weston A. Breast cancer risk and environmental exposures. Environ Health Perspect 1997; 105 Suppl 4(Suppl 4):891-896. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.97105s4891
36. Gerba CP. Environmentally transmitted pathogens. Environmental Microbiology 2009:445-484. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-370519-8.00022-5
37. Damalas CA, Eleftherohorinos IG. Pesticide exposure, safety issues, and risk assessment indicators. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2011; 8(5):1402-1419. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph8051402
38. Boffetta P, Nyberg F. Contribution of environmental factors to cancer risk. Br Med Bull 2003; 68:71-94. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/bmp/ldg023
39. Cockburn M, Mills P, Zhang X, Zadnick J, Goldberg D, Ritz B. Prostate cancer and ambient pesticide exposure in agriculturally intensive areas in California. Am J Epidemiol 2011; 173(11):1280-1288. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwr003
40. Parent ME, Désy M, Siemiatycki J. Does exposure to agricultural chemicals increase the risk of prostate cancer among farmers? Mcgill J Med 2009; 12(1):70-77.
41. Diamanti-Kandarakis E, Bourguignon JP, Giudice LC, Hauser R, Prins GS, Soto AM, Zoeller RT, Gore AC. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals: An endocrine society scientific statement. Endocr Rev 2009; 30(4):293-342. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2009-0002
42. Fagliano J, Berry M, Bove F, Burke T. Drinking water contamination and the incidence of leukemia: An ecologic study. Am J Public Health 1990; 80(10):1209-1212. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.80.10.1209
2. Morris RD. Drinking water and cancer. Environ Health Perspect 1995; 103 Suppl 8(Suppl 8):225-231. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.95103s8225
3. Landrigan PJ, Stegeman JJ, Fleming LE, Allemand D, Anderson DM, Backer LC, Brucker-Davis F, Chevalier N, Corra L, Czerucka D, Bottein MD, Demeneix B, Depledge M, Deheyn DD, Dorman CJ, Fénichel P, Fisher S, Gaill F, Galgani F, Gaze WH, Giuliano L, Grandjean P, Hahn ME, Hamdoun A, Hess P, Judson B, Laborde A, McGlade J, Mu J, Mustapha A, Neira M, Noble RT, Pedrotti ML, Reddy C, Rocklöv J, Scharler UM, Shanmugam H, Taghian G, van de Water JAJM, Vezzulli L, Weihe P, Zeka A, Raps H, Rampal P. Human health and ocean pollution. Ann Glob Health 2020; 86(1):151. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.2831
4. Hama Aziz KH, Mustafa FS, Omer KM, Hama S, Hamarawf RF, Rahman KO. Heavy metal pollution in the aquatic environment: Efficient and low-cost removal approaches to eliminate their toxicity: A review. RSC Adv 2023; 13(26):17595-17610. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d3ra00723e
5. Abascal E, Gómez-Coma L, Ortiz I, Ortiz A. Global diagnosis of nitrate pollution in groundwater and review of removal technologies. Sci Total Environ 2022; 810:152233. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152233
6. Mawdsley JL, Bardgett RD, Merry RJ, Pain BF, Theodorou MK. Pathogens in livestock waste, their potential for movement through soil and environmental pollution. Appl Soil Ecol 1995; 2(1):1-15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0929-1393(94)00039-A
7. Abubakar IR, Maniruzzaman KM, Dano UL, AlShihri FS, AlShammari MS, Ahmed SMS, Al-Gehlani WAG, Alrawaf TI. Environmental sustainability impacts of solid waste management practices in the global south. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19(19):12717. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912717
8. National Research Council (US) Committee on Oil in the Sea: Inputs, Fates, and Effects. Oil in the Sea III: Inputs, Fates, and Effects. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2003. 5, Biological Effects of Oil Releases. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK220710/
9. Napper IE, Thompson RC. Plastic debris in the marine environment: History and future challenges. Glob Chall 2020; 4(6):1900081. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.201900081
10. Kapahi M, Sachdeva S. Bioremediation options for heavy metal pollution. J Health Pollut 2019; 9(24):191203. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5696/2156-9614-9.24.191203
11. Cheng K, Xu X, Cui L, Li Y, Zheng J, Wu W, Sun J, Pan G. The role of soils in regulation of freshwater and coastal water quality. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376(1834):20200176. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2020.0176
12. Manisalidis I, Stavropoulou E, Stavropoulos A, Bezirtzoglou E. Environmental and health impacts of air pollution: A review. Front Public Health 2020; 8:14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00014
13. Malik A, Yasar A, Tabinda A, Abubakar M. Water-borne diseases, cost of illness and willingness to pay for diseases interventions in rural communities of developing countries. Iran J Public Health 2012; 41(6):39-49.
14. National Research Council (US) Committee on Copper in Drinking Water. Copper in Drinking Water. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2000. 5, Health Effects of Excess Copper. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK225400/
15. Fleming LE, McDonough N, Austen M, Mee L, Moore M, Hess P, Depledge MH, White M, Philippart K, Bradbrook P, Smalley A. Oceans and human health: A rising tide of challenges and opportunities for Europe. Mar Environ Res 2014; 99:16-19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2014.05.010
16. Jaishankar M, Tseten T, Anbalagan N, Mathew BB, Beeregowda KN. Toxicity, mechanism and health effects of some heavy metals. Interdiscip Toxicol 2014; 7(2):60-72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/intox-2014-0009
17. Cabral JP. Water microbiology. Bacterial pathogens and water. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2010; 7(10):3657-3703. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph7103657
18. Bhagwat VR. Safety of water used in food production. Food Safety and Human Health 2019:219-247. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-816333-7.00009-6
19. Summers JK, Smith LM, Case JL, Linthurst RA. A review of the elements of human well-being with an emphasis on the contribution of ecosystem services. Ambio 2012; 41(4):327-40. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-012-0256-7
20. VanDerslice J. Drinking water infrastructure and environmental disparities: evidence and methodological considerations. Am J Public Health 2011; 101 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S109-S114. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2011.300189
21. Boutayeb A. The burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases in developing countries. Handbook Dis Burden Quality Life Meas 2010:531-546. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-78665-0_32
22. Alengebawy A, Abdelkhalek ST, Qureshi SR, Wang MQ. Heavy metals and pesticides toxicity in agricultural soil and plants: Ecological risks and human health implications. Toxics 2021; 9(3):42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics9030042
23. Shankar S, Shanker U, Shikha. Arsenic contamination of groundwater: A review of sources, prevalence, health risks, and strategies for mitigation. ScientificWorldJournal 2014; 2014:304524. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/304524
24. Sasman M, Dolan CB, Villegas D, Eyob E, Barrett C. The influence of marginalization on cultural attitudes and trash disposal practices in Esfuerzo de Paraíso of the Dominican Republic: A qualitative interview study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18(6):2872. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18062872
25. Englande AJ Jr, Krenkel P, Shamas J. Wastewater treatment & water reclamation. Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences 2015; 2015:B978-0-12-409548-9.09508-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.09508-7
26. Nelson S, Drabarek D, Jenkins A, Negin J, Abimbola S. How community participation in water and sanitation interventions impacts human health, WASH infrastructure and service longevity in low-income and middle-income countries: A realist review. BMJ Open 2021; 11(12):e053320. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053320
27. Chu EW, Karr JR. Environmental impact: Concept, consequences, measurement. Reference Module in Life Sciences 2017; 2017:B978-0-12-809633-8.02380-3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809633-8.02380-3
28. Zhang Y, Liu M, Wang J, Han K, Han F, Wang B, Xie S, Yuan C, Zhao M, Li S, Wang J. Bibliometric analysis of the association between drinking water pollution and bladder cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1170700. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2023.1170700
29. Letašiová S, Medve'ová A, Šovčíková A, Dušinská M, Volkovová K, Mosoiu C, Bartonová A. Bladder cancer, a review of the environmental risk factors. Environ Health. 2012; 11 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-069X-11-S1-S11
30. Moody EC, Coca SG, Sanders AP. Toxic metals and chronic kidney disease: A systematic review of recent literature. Curr Environ Health Rep 2018; 5(4):453-463. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-018-0212-1
31. Kim NH, Hyun YY, Lee KB, Chang Y, Ryu S, Oh KH, Ahn C. Environmental heavy metal exposure and chronic kidney disease in the general population. J Korean Med Sci 2015; 30(3):272-277. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2015.30.3.272. Erratum in: J Korean Med Sci 2015; 30(4):507. Rhu, Seungho [corrected to Ryu, Seungho].
32. Yang JD, Hainaut P, Gores GJ, Amadou A, Plymoth A, Roberts LR. A global view of hepatocellular carcinoma: Trends, risk, prevention and management. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 16(10):589-604. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41575-019-0186-y
33. McGlynn KA, Petrick JL, El-Serag HB. Epidemiology of hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 2021; 73 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):4-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.31288
34. Pullella K, Kotsopoulos J. Arsenic exposure and breast cancer risk: A re-evaluation of the literature. Nutrients 2020; 12(11):3305. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12113305
35. Wolff MS, Weston A. Breast cancer risk and environmental exposures. Environ Health Perspect 1997; 105 Suppl 4(Suppl 4):891-896. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.97105s4891
36. Gerba CP. Environmentally transmitted pathogens. Environmental Microbiology 2009:445-484. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-370519-8.00022-5
37. Damalas CA, Eleftherohorinos IG. Pesticide exposure, safety issues, and risk assessment indicators. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2011; 8(5):1402-1419. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph8051402
38. Boffetta P, Nyberg F. Contribution of environmental factors to cancer risk. Br Med Bull 2003; 68:71-94. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/bmp/ldg023
39. Cockburn M, Mills P, Zhang X, Zadnick J, Goldberg D, Ritz B. Prostate cancer and ambient pesticide exposure in agriculturally intensive areas in California. Am J Epidemiol 2011; 173(11):1280-1288. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwr003
40. Parent ME, Désy M, Siemiatycki J. Does exposure to agricultural chemicals increase the risk of prostate cancer among farmers? Mcgill J Med 2009; 12(1):70-77.
41. Diamanti-Kandarakis E, Bourguignon JP, Giudice LC, Hauser R, Prins GS, Soto AM, Zoeller RT, Gore AC. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals: An endocrine society scientific statement. Endocr Rev 2009; 30(4):293-342. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2009-0002
42. Fagliano J, Berry M, Bove F, Burke T. Drinking water contamination and the incidence of leukemia: An ecologic study. Am J Public Health 1990; 80(10):1209-1212. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.80.10.1209
How to Cite
Smith, I. (2023). Water Pollution and Cancer: An Updated Review. Science Insights, 43(4), 1079–1086. https://doi.org/10.15354/si.23.re801
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