Tuesday June 23, 2009, 10:33 am
English translation:
Poorly-filtered Tap Water not recommended for Cancer Patients

On Tuesday, a group of specialists is launching a campaign to inform the public about the health risks incurred by persons of fragile health who drink water that often contains too much nitrates and pesticides. Dr. David Servan-Screiber explains below.

Beware of the effects that tap water in polluted areas can have on your health. Dr. David Servan-Screiber, supported by a committee* of epidemiologists, oncologists and the WWF, is launching a campaign on Tuesday to inform the public about the quality of poorly-filtered water in France which sometimes reaches the French homeowner’s tap. Because, while the study group considered that this water is on the average of “good quality”, (ed. Note: at 92%) some rivers in France still contain levels of chemical compounds that are too high, particularly in some agricultural regions. Some chemical products may be harmful to people with fragile heath conditions, and especially for those with cancer.
«In 2007, 5.1 million people in France were exposed to nitrate levels that were above the limit, Dr. David Servan-Screiber, who is at the origin of the campaign, reported to figaro.fr. And the scientific studies have already shown for several years that a too many nitrates in the water one consumes increase the risk of cancer. «In some water we also find high levels of pesticides and medicinal residue», added the doctor. These two substances are endocrine antagonists that may contribute to an evolution of the illness. This can be seen in the way fish change sex in over-polluted rivers, he argues.
Filters or mineral water
David Servan-Schreiber also mentions the « new phenomenon » of medicinal residues found in some rivers, in particular those near hospitals: « this is due to human urines » he said. « It’s a new problem to which France is more exposed than elsewhere in the world, as our country is one of the largest consumers of medicine , » he explained. As a result, these components are not yet very well filtered everywhere in the country, the study group believes. Moreover, says David Servan-Schreiber, «nobody knows what the effect of the mixture of all these medicines » since, in water, « traces of Prozac, cancer medication, or even birth control pills can be noted.
«We don’t want to cause alarm », explains Bernard Cressens, WWF scientific director. « Our message to the public is: ask your mayor’s office for the water analysis for your town. If your water is good, there is nothing to worry about. If not, and if you are of fragile health, you should take other measures for drinking water. If the water is polluted, the group recommends using filters (either on pitchers or directly attached to the tap) or to drink bottled water, whose purity is controlled.

*Among the signatories are: Prof. Jean-Claude Lefeuvre, former president of the French Institute for Biodiversity; Prof. Luc Montagnier,Nobel Prize laureate for medicine in 2008 and Prof. Jean-Marie Pelt, president of the European Ecology Institute.

NB from Michelle: in a radio interview this morning, Dr. David Servan-Screiber stipulated that the study was an independent one and in no way associated with the bottled water industry.

Tuesday June 23, 2009, 11:37 am
Thank you Michelle.

Tuesday June 23, 2009, 12:19 pm
Thanks Michelle. This is such a huge problem and there is no escaping it. Filter pitchers are made of plastic so if you have one, I guess you get to pick your poison. Maybe a ceramic filter would be the best thing, but they are likely housed in plastic too. Sigh!

Tuesday June 23, 2009, 1:28 pm
Thanx Michelle
My problem is the Arsenic from chicken and pig manure contaminatiog the groundwater which leads to cancer and brain dumbing -- don't believe it would help much if you already have cancer either.

cowboss

Tuesday June 23, 2009, 2:37 pm
I reckon not, cowboss... none of this stuff is... thx

Wednesday June 24, 2009, 7:43 am
do understand,our water been temper by our town even early in the morning and afternoon,the water was also smelling like sh...,very bad and when washing ourself,our eyes burning,even our dog drinking in it.

Friday June 26, 2009, 8:57 am
Noted with interest. Thank you Michelle.