Yale researchers study water contaminant cancer link

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The link between water contaminants and liver cancer will be explored as part of a major five-year study announced by Yale University.

A new research centre at the renowned US university will conduct the extensive analysis of emerging water contaminants linked to cancer. The programme has been made possible by a US$7.35 million grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and is likely to have a significant impact on public health both in the US and globally.

"Successful completion of these innovative studies will make a significant impact on public health.”

Vasilis Vasiliou, Yale School of Public Health

The multidisciplinary centre will be led by scientists at the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) and Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science. Researchers from university’s school of medicine and school of environment also will be involved.

Vasilis Vasiliou, chair of the YSPH department of environmental health sciences, said, “Given that liver cancer incidence rates have more than tripled since 1980, there is an urgent need to evaluate whether emerging water contaminants may be contributing to this increase.”

Yale’s research will focus on a contaminant known as 1,4-dioxane (1,4-DX), because of its common occurrence in drinking water and superfund sites - places that falling under the 1980 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation & Liability Act (CERCLA). This law created a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries, and gave the national government authority to respond directly to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances that endanger public health or the environment.

This means the EPA can clean up contaminated sites and force the parties responsible for the contamination to either perform cleanups or reimburse the government for EPA-led cleanup work.

The EPA has classified the 1,4-DX contaminant as a possible human carcinogen, though the specific mechanism through which 1,4-DX may cause cancer of the liver in animals and humans is currently unknown. Vasiliou said a lack of biomarkers signalling possible exposure to 1,4-DX has hampered epidemiological studies, risk assessment and setting of standards for the contaminant.

As part of its mission, the research centre will train future scientists to ensure the programme has a far-reaching impact on how emerging contaminants are addressed globally. Ultimately, the research will be used to support improved federal regulation of 1,4-DX to help affected communities and remove the contaminant from water supplies.

Vasiliou said: “Our programme addresses critical gaps in the understanding 1,4-DX’s cancer mechanisms, mixture interactions, and detection and treatment. Successful completion of these innovative studies will make a significant impact on public health.”

Jaehong Kim, the programme’s deputy director, said, “By developing networks and systems to detect and destroy pollutants before they enter the body, we will be able to ensure safe drinking water for those affected. This is a great example of how Yale’s School of Engineering & Applied Science can expand its research to directly address the human health implications of groundwater contamination.”