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Cancer
& Chlorine_________________________________________________
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Is the chlorine in our
drinking water acting as catalyst triggering tumor
development both in atherosclerosis and cancer? The
addition of chlorine to our drinking water started
in the late 1890’s and had wide acceptance in
the United States by 1920. Joseph Price, M. D, wrote
a fascinating yet largely ignored book in the late
1960’s, entitled Coronaries Cholesterol. Chlorine,
Dr Price believes, is the primary and essential cause
of atherosclerosis is chlorine. "Nothing can
negate the incontrovertible fact the basic cause of
atherosclerosis and resulting entities, such as heart
attacks and most common forms of stokes is chlorine.
The chlorine contained in processed drinking water."
(1) This conclusion is based on experiments using
chlorine in the drinking water of chickens. The results:
95% of the chickens given chlorine added to distilled
water developed atherosclerosis within a few months.
Atherosclerosis, heart attacks and the resulting problems
of hardening of the arteries and plaque formation
is really the last step in a series of biochemical
malfunctions. Price points out it takes ten to twenty
years before symptoms in humans become evident In
many ways, this is reminiscent of cancer which can
take twenty to thirty years to develop.
Can chlorine be linked to cancer too? In the chlorination
process itself, chlorine combines with natural organic
matter decaying vegetation to form potent cancer causing
trihalomethanes (THM’s) or haloforms. Trihalomethanes
collectively include such carcinogens as chloroforms,
bromoforms carbon tectachloride, bischlorothane and
others. The amount of THM’s in our drinking
water is theoretically regulated by the EPA. Although
the maximum amount allowed by law is 100 ppb, a 1976
study showed 31 of 112 municipal water systems exceeded
this limit.
(2) According to some studies by 1975, the number
of chemical contaminants found in finished drinking
water exceeded 300.
(3) In 1984 over 700 chemicals had been found in our
drinking water The EPA has targeted 129 as posing
the greatest threat to our health, Currently the EPA
enforces federal standards for 34 drinking water contaminants.
In July, 1990 they proposed adding 23 new ones and
expects this list increasing to 85 in 1992.
(4) Another report claims the picture is much worse.
According to Troubled Waters on Tap "over 2100
contaminants have been detected in U. S. drinking
water since 1974 with 190 known or suspected to cause
adverse health effects at certain concentration levels.
In total, 97 carcinogens and suspected carcinogens,
82 mutagens and suspected mutagens, 28 acute and chronic
toxic contaminants and 23 tumor promoters have been
detected in U. S. drinking water since 1974. The remaining
90% of the organic matter present in drinking water
has not been identified by testing to-date.Compounds
in these concentration could pose serious toxic effects,
either alone or in combination with other chemicals
found in drinking water. Overall, available scientific
evidence continues to substantiate the link between
consumption of toxins in drinking water and serious
public health concerns, Studies have strengthened
the association between ingestion of toxins and elevated
cancer mortality risks"
(5) Studies in New Orleans, Louisiana; Eric County,
New York, Washington County Maryland, Ohio County,
Ohio reveal high levels of haloforms or THM ‘s
in drinking water The result – higher levels
of cancer.
(6) ‘The continued use of chlorine as the main
drinking water disinfectant in the United States only
adds to the organic chemical contamination of drinking
water supplies.
(7) The current federal standard regulation of trihalomethanes
do not adequately protect water consumers from the
multitude of other organic chlorination by-products
that have been shown in many studies to be mutagenic
and toxic’"Chlorine is so dangerous"
according to biologist/chemist Dr. Herbert Schwartz,"
that Is should be banned.
(8) Putting chlorine In the water is like starting
a time bomb. Cancer heart trouble, premature senility,
both mental and physical are conditions attributable
to chlorine, treated water supplies. It is making
us grow old before our time by producing symptoms
of ageing such as hardening of the arteries.
(9) I believe if chlorine were now proposed for the
first time to be used in drinking water it would be
banned by the Food and Drug Administration."
(10) Many municipalities are experimenting with a
variety of disinfectants to either take the place
of chlorine or to be used in addition, as a way of
cutting down on the amount of chlorine added to the
water However these alternatives such as chlorine
dioxide, bromine chloride, chloromines, etc., are
just as dangerous as chlorine. We’ re replacing
one toxic chemical with another.
On the positive side, some cities are starting to
use aeration carbon filtration, ultraviolet light
and ozone as safe alternatives to chemical disinfectants.
But the number of cities and the number of people
getting water from these methods is minimal.
How can chlorination be linked to heart disease and
cancer?
In Super Nutrition for Healthy Hearts Dr Richard Passwater
shows how "the origin of heart disease is akin
to the origin of cancer" Chlorination could very
well be a key factor linking these two major diseases
Chlorine creates THM's and haloforms. These potent
chemical pollutants can trigger the production of
excess free radicals in our bodies. Free radicals
cause cell damage. Excess free radicals can cause
normal smooth muscle cells in the arterial wall to
go haywire, to mutate. The fibrous plaque consequently
formed is essentially a benign tumor.
(11) Unfortunately, this tumor is linked with the
origin of heart disease. If your drinking water is
chlorinated, don’t drink it You can purchase
very effective filters which will remove 99% of the
THM’s or purchase proper bottled spring water.
Just this simple safeguard may save thousands from
heart disease and cancer - the two major degenerative
killers in the United States.
Price JM. Coronaries Cholesterol/Chlorine.
NY: Pyramid, 1969.
Maugh TH. New Study Links Chlorination and Cancer Science 1983; 211 (February
13): 694.
Wilkins JR, Reiches NA, Kruse CW. Organic Chemical Contaminants in Drinking
Water and Cancer AM. J. Epidemology 1979; 114: 179-190.
U.S Water News. EPA Seeking to Expand Number of Drinking Water Contaminants
to 34. August 1990:
Conacher D. Troubled Waters on Tap Organic Chemicals in Public Drinking Water
Systems and the Failure of Regulation. Wash D. C: Center for Study of Responsive
Law, 1988: 114. Page T, Harris RH, Epstein SS.Drinking Water and Cancer Morality
in Louisiana. Science 1976; 193:
55-57.
Gottlieb DG, Osborne RH. Premiminary Report on Nationwide Study of Drinking
Water and Cardiovascular Diseases. J. Environmental Pathology and Toxicology.
1980; 3: 65-76.
Carlo GL, Mettlin CJ. Cancer Incidence and Trihalomethane Concentrations in
a Public Water System AM. J. Public Health 1980; 70 (May): 523-525
Wilkins JR, Comstock GW. Source of Drinking Water at Home and Site-Specific
Cancer Incidence in Washington County, Maryland. AM J. Epidemology. 1981;
114: 178-190.
Dons Bach KW, Walker M. Drinking Water. Huntingdon Beach, CA: Int’l
Institute of Natural Health Sciences, 1981.
Passwater R. Supernutrition for Healthy Hearts. NY: Jova 1978.
Source: - Healthy Water, Martin Fox, PH.d.
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