Nitrates in Drinking Water –A Beneficial Effect against Cancer

Abstract

Nitrates in drinking water have been hypothesized to cause cancer. In the current meta-data analysis based study, we investigate if populations having high nitrate concentrations in drinking water have increased incidence rates of cancer. The hypothesis was tested using the county level cancer incidence rate data obtained from the Center for Disease Control, and nitrate data obtained from the individual water system’s consumer confidence reports. Results indicate that a nitrate concentration in drinking water does have a preventative effect on the Kidney and Renal Pelvic, Larynx, Lung and Bronchus, and Oral and Pharynx cancers. Analyzing the results based on sex and race, results show that nitrate in drinking water has a more preventative effect on the white population, irrespective of sex. For the Black and Hispanic population, the effect was pronounced in the male populations. Overall, the results show that, within the safe limits, nitrates in drinking water could have beneficial roles.