Can PFAS in drinking water increase your risk of bladder cancer?

What's actually in it

Your drinking water may contain PFAS, disinfection byproducts (DBPs), arsenic, and nitrates. DBPs form when chlorine used to kill germs in water reacts with organic matter. PFAS enter water from industrial sites and consumer products. Arsenic occurs naturally in some groundwater. All of these chemicals end up in every glass of unfiltered tap water.

What the research says

A 2026 review in Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev examined the evidence linking water-related chemical exposures to bladder cancer. The review found that multiple water contaminants are associated with increased bladder cancer risk. Long-term exposure to chlorinated water, arsenic, and PFAS all contributed.

Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Since the bladder concentrates and stores urine, it's exposed to filtered chemicals for extended periods, making it especially vulnerable.

Filter your drinking water with a system that removes PFAS, chlorine byproducts, and arsenic. Reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters are the most effective options for multiple contaminants.