Chemical Aspects of the Relationship Between Drinking Water Quality and Long‐Term Health Effects: An Overview

Westendorf, John R.; Middleton, Andrew C.

doi:10.1002/j.1551-8833.1979.tb04390.x

Cited by 14 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…The various organic constituents of drinking water might play a role in pancreatic cancer etiology. Soft water is more corrosive than hard water, and promotes the dissolution of cadmium, lead, and other toxic substances from plumbing systems into the drinking water (Westendorf & Middleton, 1979).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pancreatic Cancer Mortality and Total Hardness Levels in Taiwan's Drinking Water

Hf²,

Mf³

et al. 1999

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A

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The possible association between the risk of pancreatic cancer mortality and hardness levels in drinking water from municipal supplies was investigated in a matched case-control study in Taiwan. All eligible pancreatic cancer deaths (883 cases) of Taiwan residents from 1990 through 1994 were compared with deaths from other causes (883 controls), and the hardness levels of the drinking water used by these residents were determined. Data on water hardness throughout Taiwan was collected from Taiwan Water Supply Corporation (TWSC). The control group consisted of people who died from other causes and were pair matched to the cancer cases by sex, year of birth, and year of death. The results show that there is a 39 % excess risk of mortality from pancreatic cancer in relation to the use of soft water. Trend analyses showed an increasing odds ratio for pancreatic cancer with decreasing levels of hardness in drinking water. This is an important finding for the Taiwan water industry and human health.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pancreatic Cancer Mortality and Total Hardness Levels in Taiwan's Drinking Water

Hf²,

Mf³

et al. 1999

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A

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“…Soft water is more corrosive than hard water and promotes the dissolution of cadmium, lead, and other toxic substances from the plumbing system into the drinking water. 13 Another theory is that there is a protective effect from magnesium in water. 14 -16 The former hypothesis could not be tested in his study because the levels of lead and cadmium in drinking water were not available.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Calcium and Magnesium in Drinking Water and Risk of Death From Cerebrovascular Disease

Yang

1998

Stroke

124

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Background and Purpose-Many studies have demonstrated a negative association between mortality from cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases and water hardness. This report examines whether calcium and magnesium in drinking water are protective against cerebrovascular disease. Methods-All eligible cerebrovascular deaths (17 133 cases) of Taiwan residents from 1989 through 1993 were compared with deaths from other causes (17 133 controls), and the levels of calcium and magnesium in drinking water of these residents were determined. Data on calcium and magnesium levels in drinking water throughout Taiwan were obtained from the Taiwan Water Supply Corporation. The control group consisted of people who died from other causes, and the controls were pair matched to the cases by sex, year of birth, and year of death. Results-The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were 0.75 (0.65 to 0.85) for the group with water magnesium levels between 7.4 and 13.4 mg/L and 0.60 (0.52 to 0.70) for the group with magnesium levels of 13.5 mg/L or more.After adjustment for magnesium levels in drinking water, there was no difference between the groups with different levels of calcium. Conclusions-The results of the present study show that there is a significant protective effect of magnesium intake from drinking water on the risk of cerebrovascular disease. This is an important finding for the Taiwan water industry and human health. (Stroke. 1998;29:411-414.)

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“…The various organic constituents of drinking water might play a role in rectal cancer etiology. Also, soft water is more corrosive than hard water, and promotes the dissolution of cadmium, lead, and other toxic substances from the plumbing system into the drinking water (Westendorf and Middleton, 1979). All these problems will require further study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rectal Cancer Mortality and Total Hardness Levels in Taiwan's Drinking Water

Yang¹,

Tsai²,

Lai³

et al. 1999

Environmental Research

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The possible association between the risk of rectal cancer and hardness levels in drinking water from municipal supplies was investigated in a matched case-control study in Taiwan. All eligible rectal cancer deaths (986 cases) of Taiwan residents from 1990 through 1994 were compared with deaths from other causes (986 controls), and the hardness levels of the drinking water used by these residents were determined. Data on water hardness throughout Taiwan were collected from Taiwan Water Supply Corporation (TWSC). The control group consisted of people who died from other causes and the controls were pair matched to the cases by sex, year of birth, and year of death. The results show a significant negative relationship between drinking water hardness and rectal cancer mortality. Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were 1.24 (1.01-1. 55) and 1.38 (1.10-1.73), respectively, for exposure to moderately hard water and soft water compared with the use of hard water. Trend analyses showed an increasing odds ratio for rectal cancer with decreasing levels of hardness in drinking water. This is an important finding for the Taiwan water industry and human health.

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Chemical Aspects of the Relationship Between Drinking Water Quality and Long‐Term Health Effects: An Overview

Abstract: The relationship of water hardness, trace metals, and long-term health effects especially cardiovascular disease is not fully understood, but several water factors may influence health and disease, and these may produce different effects in different geographical areas.

Cited by 14 publications

References 11 publications

Pancreatic Cancer Mortality and Total Hardness Levels in Taiwan's Drinking Water

Pancreatic Cancer Mortality and Total Hardness Levels in Taiwan's Drinking Water

Calcium and Magnesium in Drinking Water and Risk of Death From Cerebrovascular Disease

Rectal Cancer Mortality and Total Hardness Levels in Taiwan's Drinking Water

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