Correlation between Trihalomethanes and the Development of Bladder Cancer

Abstract

Introduction: The trihalomethanes (THM) are one of the by-products created from the chlorination process, the most applied technique for water disinfection. Since the first time they were reported in 1974, studies attempted to find a positive correlation between human’s exposure to THM and cancer. Objective: Review the available scientific literature reported about the presence of THM in drinking water’s treatment and its relation with the carcinogenic process of bladder cancer. Method: The present study consists of an integrative literature review. The articles were searched in the ScienceDirect and PubMed databases utilizing the following keywords obtained from the Subject Descriptors in Health Science (Virtual Health Library): “trihalomethanes”, “disinfection by-products” and “bladder cancer”. Results: In total, 31 articles were selected for this review, most of them published in environmental or toxicological journals. The authors analyzed descriptive studies, meta-analysis and other experimental studies, finding a positive, but controversial relationship between the t THM exposures, specifically the chronic, and the carcinogenic process associated with many pathological mechanisms. Conclusion: The studies recognized the potential risk of the THM exposure in humans, however, more evidence is needed for a better understanding of THM’s toxicological aspects and the influence of other health risk factors in the carcinogenicity process.