Tap water may altogether increase cancer risk for thousands of U.S. residents over a lifetime

Experts say that the risk of these carcinogens have been under debate for decades. They caution that the standards set for community water systems

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EWG found that per 10,000 people, four will have cancer over the span of the lifetime due to the contaminants in water

EWG said that 87% of the cancer risk present in tap water comes from arsenic and byproducts of common disinfectants

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A spokesperson with the EPA told USA TODAY that water regulations focus primarily on the contaminants that may cause the greatest public health risk

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Meanwhile, the EWG recommends that only four ten-thousandths of a microgram (0.0004 micrograms) of arsenic be allowed in water

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Regulations for drinking water in the United States are based on a complex balance between health risks from possible carcinogens

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On a broader scale, experts advise solutions aimed at reducing the level of contaminants that are present in tap water.

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