Menu
Dr. Weil Logo Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
  • Health & Wellness
    Health & Wellness
    Body, Mind & Spirit
    • Addiction
    • Allergy & Asthma
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Back Pain
    • Bone & Joint
    • Cancer
    • Colds & Flu
    • Dental & Oral
    • Diabetes
    • Disease & Disorders
    • Ears, Nose, & Throat
    • Feet
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hair, Skin, & Nails
    • Headache
    • Heart
    • Insects & Parasites
    • Liver & Kidney
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Fertility
    • Respiratory
    • Sexual Health
    • Sleep Issues
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Vision
    Balanced Living
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Gardening
    • Healthy Home
    • Healthy Living
    • Meditation & Inspiration
    • Meet Dr. Weil
    • Pets & Pet Care
    • Technology
    • Wellness Therapies
    Health Centers
    • Aging Gracefully
    • Children
    • Condition Care Guide
    • Men
    • Women
  • Diet & Nutrition
    Diet & Nutrition
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet Pyramid
    Cooking & Cookware
    Healthy Cooking & Cookware
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Food Safety
    Diets & Nutrition - Food Safety
    Nutrition
    healthy nutrition
    Recipes
    healthy recipes
  • Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Herbs
    herbal remedies - herbs
    Supplements & Remedies
    suppliments & remedies
    Vitamins
    ask-dr-weil_vitamins-supplements-herbs_vitamins-topnav
  • Ask Dr. Weil
  • Blogs
    Blogs
    Bulletins
    The Legacy Of Living Yes | Spontaneous Happiness | Andrew Weil, M.D.
    Health Tips
    Healthy Drinks To Start Sipping | Andrew Weil, M.D.
    Spontaneous Happiness
    blog_spontaneous-happiness_topnav
  • COVID-19
  • Dr. Weil Origins Skin Care
  • Marketplace
  • Healthy Aging
  • Podcasts
  • Meet Dr. Weil
  • Accessibility
  • Subscribe
Is Tap Water Toxic?
Subscribe
Press "Enter" to search
  1. Home
  2. Health & Wellness
  3. Balanced Living
  4. Healthy Home

Is Tap Water Toxic?

I’m concerned about my tap water. I’ve heard that it can legally contain all sorts of harmful chemicals. Can this be true?

Andrew Weil, M.D. |November 10, 2017

tap water toxic
2 min

You may have heard about results of an analysis undertaken by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit organization that focuses on protecting human health and the environment. EWG researchers spent two years compiling information from state agencies and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) based on tests of drinking water conducted from 2010 to 2015 by 48,712 water utilities in all 50 states. The results reveal that contaminants capable of affecting human health are present in public water systems nationwide. The EPA requires these utilities to send all customers an annual Consumer Confidence Report on the quality of their drinking water, including disclosure of contaminants detected via sampling and testing. These reports often list only federally regulated contaminants. The EWG found, however, that more than half the contaminants detected were not federally regulated and that the reports sent to consumers typically did not mention their possible adverse effects on health.

The EWG has assembled the information from its analysis in an online Tap Water Database available on its website. You can access the database and enter your zip code to learn about contaminants and their concentrationS in your local public water supply.

The EWG reported that the utilities tested for some 500 contaminants in 40,000 water systems; they found 267 different compounds of concern, including 93 known or likely carcinogens. Levels of these contaminants exceeded federal or health state guidelines and pose what the EWG termed “minimal but real” health risks. It reports that 78 contaminants found have been linked to damage to the brain and nervous system, another 63 are associated with developmental harm to children or fetuses, 45 more are linked to hormone disruption, and 38 others may cause fertility problems.

The following contaminants were most widely present:

  • Chromium-6: A carcinogen detected in the drinking water supplies serving 250 million Americans in all 50 states. No federal regulations limit its presence in drinking water. Chromium-6 is the contaminant linked to a high incidence of cancer dramatized in the film “Erin Brockovich.”
  • 1,4-Dioxane: The EWG found that this unregulated compound contaminates tap water supplies for 8.5 million people in 27 states at levels above those the EPA considers to pose a minimal cancer risk.
  • Nitrates: In 2015, these compounds from animal waste and agricultural fertilizers were detected in more than 1,800 water systems serving 7 million people in 48 states. National Cancer Institute research has shown that levels of nitrates amounting to only half of the federal government’s legal limit in drinking water can increase the risk of cancer.

To protect yourself and your family the EWG advises buying an in-home water filtration system from a reputable supplier. You can find a list of effective filter systems on the EWG website.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

 

Source:
Environmental Working Group, “State of American Drinking Water.” July 27, 2017, ewg.org/tapwater/state-of-american-drinking-water.php

Read more tips, recipes, and insights on a wide variety of topics from Dr. Weil here.

drinking water
Food Safety

Drinking Water Danger?

alkaline water
Healthy Living

Why Alkaline Water?

Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging

Start Your 14-Day Free Trial

Free Newsletters

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Follow Dr. Weil’s Food Pyramid

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil's FREE health living advice delivered to you!

By clicking "Subscribe," you agree to the DrWeil.com Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive emails from DrWeil.com, and you may opt out of DrWeil.com subscriptions at any time.

Trending Now

A Greener Christmas Tree? | Healthy Home | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Healthy Home

A Greener Christmas Tree?

Allergen-Proofing Your Home | Healthy Home | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Healthy Home

Allergen-Proofing Your Home

Close-up of real fire in a fireplace.
Healthy Home

Are Flame Retardants Toxic?

Tomatoes, herbs, wine and flowers on a granite counter top.
Healthy Home

Are Granite Countertops Radioactive?

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil - Get Free Newsletters Right In Your Inbox

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
Information
  • About Us
  • Press Information
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Manage Email Subscription
Trending Articles
A Greener Christmas Tree? | Healthy Home | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Healthy Home

A Greener Christmas Tree?

Allergen-Proofing Your Home | Healthy Home | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Healthy Home

Allergen-Proofing Your Home

Daily Tips
HA_Asian-Mushrooms_1x1_663893996
Health Tips

Concerned About Cancer? 6 Asian Mushrooms To Consider

3 Tasty Ways To Cook Culinary Mushrooms | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Health Tips

3 Tasty Ways To Cook Culinary Mushrooms

  • Flickr
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands.

©Copyright2023 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. www.drweil.com