Toxic Nation | Pollution. It's In You.

Health Canada will collect samples from 60 water-treatment plants and distribution systems across the country to test for potential contaminants. The tests are being done as a precaution over concerns raised by the scientific community about contaminants in tap water which may be linked to increased risk of cancer and other health issues.

The tests will focus on the following:

• Byproducts created by the reaction of disinfectants, such as chlorine or ozone used to eliminate bacteria in drinking water, with organic materials in untreated water, such as decaying vegetation. Byproducts include trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, bromate and chlorite;
• Pharmaceutical products washed down drains, including common drugs such as ibuprofen, and;
• Plastic components, such as the infamous bisphenol A banned from baby bottles last year.

Substances to be analyzed have been identified as either known or suspected carcinogens, and endocrine or reproductive disruptors.

It is hoped that the findings of the study will help shape federal guidelines setting out maximum concentrations of contaminants allowed for drinking water.

Read the following articles for more information:
Health Canada to test taps for cancer contaminants – The Canadian Press, CBC
Feds tap water worries – Calgary Sun