Exposure to Drinking Water Trihalomethanes and Risk of Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Epidemiologic Evidence and Dose–Response Meta-Analysis
Abstract
Background: Chlorination is a widespread method for drinking water disinfection that has the drawback of introducing potentially carcinogenic chemical by-products to drinking water. Objective: We systematically evaluated the epidemiologic evidence of exposure to trihalomethane (THM) disinfection by-products and risk of cancer. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies that assessed the association of exposure to residential concentrations of THMs with risk of cancer in adults. A protocol was preregistered in PROSPERO (CRD42023435491). PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane were searched for publications up to April 2024. Study selection and risk of bias appraisal using the National Toxicology Program Office of Health Assessment and Translation (NTP OHAT) tool was done in duplicate. Summary risk estimates were assessed using random effects meta-analysis and one-stage dose–response meta-analysis. Results: The literature search resulted in 2,022 records, of which 29 publications assessing 14 different cancers were eligible for inclusion. Summary relative risks (RRs) were estimated for bladder cancer and colorectal cancer based on 5,860 and 9,262 cases and 84,371 and 90,272 participants, respectively. The summary RR of bladder cancer for the highest exposed compared with the lowest was 1.33 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.71), and in the dose–response analysis, RRs were statistically significant above THM concentrations of 41μg/L. For colorectal…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 90,272 participants or records.
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