Relations between hardness of water and death rates from certain chronic and degenerative diseases in the United States

Abstract

Further inquiry into the relationship between hardness of finished potable water by state and death rates from the ten leading causes of death and subdivisions thereof in white persons 55 to 64 years of age disclosed: 1. 1. A. Negative correlations with hypertensive diseases and with common conditions secondary to atherosclerosis ( p < 0.01). B. No significant correlations with other diseases of the heart. 2. 2. A. A possibly significant negative correlation ( p = 0.02) with neoplasms of the male respiratory system. B. No significant correlations with other common neoplasms. 3. 3. A. A suggestive negative correlation ( p < 0.05) with cirrhosis of the liver. B. No significant correlations with diabetes mellitus, influenza and pneumonia, infantile disorders, ulcer of stomach or duodenum, “senility,” or intestinal obstruction. 4. 4. Positive correlations with motor vehicle accident deaths ( p < 0.01) and congenital malformations ( p < 0.01) in all age groups. In hardness or softness of potable water may lie a clue to an influence affecting death rates from hypertension and atherosclerosis, and possibly a few other chronic disorders.