After the news that associates 5% of bladder tumors in Europe with trihalomethanes present in the water, the Spanish Association of Water Supply and Sanitation (AEAS) launches a clear message: "The drinking water supplied in Spain is suitable and comply with Spanish regulations, based on European regulations and the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO).
This was also clarified by Cristina Villanueva, the coordinator of European research that placed Spain among the six countries with the highest level of exposure to this chemical: "We comply with the law, water is potable and can be drunk." Next, we clarify some questions on this topic.
What are trihalomethanes? They are compounds that are generated after the process of water purification by the reaction of chlorine used to disinfect with organic matter not yet treated. Disinfection is essential to avoid diarrhea and other health problems.What effects can it have on health? According to several studies, long-term exposure increases the chances of developing bladder cancer, whether by ingestion, inhalation or dermal absorption. Its mutagenic and carcinogenic properties have been proven in animal experiments. Research published by ISGlobal indicates that 5% of cases of bladder cancer in the European Union are attributable to trihalomethanes. That is, around 6,500 (of the 134,976 tumors that were tested in 2016). What is the maximum allowed for trihalomethanes? The limit allowed by the European regulation is 100 micrograms per liter. What is the average level in Spain - As the European study led by the Global Health Institute of Barcelona (ISGlobal) indicates, the average exposure level in Spain is 28.8 micrograms per liter. The most up-to-date data comes from the last document prepared by the National Information System of Consumption Water: 27.35 micrograms per liter, almost four times less than the maximum of 100 established by regulations. How do we find ourselves compared to the rest of Europe? ? The study that analyzes the countries of the European Union (published in the journal 'Environmental Health Perspectives') shows an average of 11.7 micrograms per liter. Above this value are several countries, including Spain (28.8), Cyprus (66.2), Malta (49.4), Ireland (47.3), Greece (26.3), United Kingdom (24,2) and Portugal (23,8). Are the data known by autonomous communities in Spain? There is a public document of the National Information System of Water of Consumption (SINAC) that is being updated to offer the latest data, but it does not detail the levels of trihalomethanes by autonomous communities, only the national average value (27.35 micrograms per liter in 2018. The different companies that supply drinking water should be contacted. After a telephone conversation with Canal de Isabel II in the Community In Madrid, we know, for example, that the value in this autonomy is "23.3 micrograms per liter," says Alfonso González del Rey, deputy director of water quality of this company, who says that "the quality of tap water in the Community of Madrid it is guaranteed ". How many analyzes are carried out n in the water to measure trihalomethanes after one year in Spain? According to the SINAC document, in 2018 48,286 controls were made for this purpose. None of them have detected alarm signals for exceeding the levels of this contaminant. The report reveals that throughout 2018, of all the determinations made on 55 parameters, it was 42 (nickel, lead, sodium ...) that caused at some point unfit water and none corresponded to the trihalomethanes. cases, says Fernando Morcillo, president of the AEAS, "all neighbors are notified so that they temporarily do not consume tap water until it is normalized [...] Some case has happened after a fire, with the drag of ashes "Should we be concerned with the trihalomethanes?" The draft of the new European Directive on Consumption Water, which is expected to be published during 2020, the result of European institutions, maintains the same limit for trihalomethanes (100 micrograms per liter) " says González del Rey. "This value has been reconfirmed based on the recommendations of the WHO experts." Apart, it should be remembered "that in the case of potentially carcinogenic compounds, an additional safety factor is applied," underlines the AEAS. "The values contained in European regulations are even more demanding than those set by the WHO." Should we stop drinking tap water? Miguel Ángel Lurueña, doctor of food science and technology, replies on his twitter: "No, the water is safe and the alternatives are worse.The bottled water is much more expensive and much less environmentally friendly.In addition, its consumption also has health implications.It has no trihalomethanes, but needs packaging and transport, waste is generated plastics, gases and polluting particles, which has a negative impact on health. "What is the objective of the research of ISGlobal? The scientific team responsible for the work recommends efforts to reduce the values of this contaminant even more. Their study predicts that if the 13 countries with the highest exposure reduced their values to the European average (11.7 micrograms per liter), the attributable cases would decrease by 44%, with 2,868 fewer tumors per year. They are committed to optimizing water treatment. What is currently being done? In the Community of Madrid, for example, "chloramines are used for water disinfection, which minimizes the generation of trihalomethanes," says the water quality expert of Canal Isabel II. We also "minimize the organic matter that will react with chlorine through processes of oxidation of ozone, reverse osmosis and filtration through activated carbon, so that less by-products such as trihalomethanes are produced." What can we do from Casa? Lurueña explains that "you can opt for filtration with a good jug (not all of them are efficient and you also have to renew the filters often) or with osmosis systems (although they are expensive and waste a lot of water)". Conclusion: "You can drink tap water with peace of mind. If you are worried about cancer, there are other much more important factors to consider, such as tobacco, alcohol, sedentary lifestyle and poor diet."According to the criteria of The Trust Project
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