Reference summary — not medical advice or a personal risk estimate.
Drinking water (contaminated)
Municipal or well water that may contain regulated contaminants at trace levels.
Also known as: well water, tap water
What this does NOT mean
Finding a factor documented in this product category does not establish that ordinary use of drinking water (contaminated) causes cancer. It means research — through regulatory testing, recall records, or IARC review — has found that chemical present in this category. Whether it matters for you depends on formulation, dose, frequency, and route of exposure.
What has been documented
- Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)IARC Group 1IARC Group 1Contains · high confidence
Detected in tap water near industrial sites; regulated under EPA PFAS rules.
Evidence source: US EPA
- Arsenic in drinking waterIARC Group 1IARC Group 1Contains · high confidence
Naturally occurring in some groundwater; regulated by WHO and US EPA.
Evidence source: IARC
How to read this page
A factor appearing on this page means it has been documented in this product category — through EPA / FDA testing, IARC monographs, or regulatory recall records. Whether it presents a meaningful personal risk depends on the specific formulation, dose, and how you're exposed. Click any factor to read what science actually says about it, and where.