Health

‘Is it safe to drink tap water?’: Ask a doctor

Published

1 year ago

September 6, 2024

‘Is it safe to drink tap water?’: Ask a doctor

Recent reports of a contaminated water supply in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which led to warnings not to use water from faucets earlier this week, have sparked general safety concerns.

The city of Grand Prairie, Texas, announced firefighting foam was detected in the water Tuesday, then announced Thursday the water is safe to drink, according to local reports.

Fox News Digital spoke to experts about potential risks with unfiltered tap water.

ASK A DOCTOR: ‘CAN I BE DEHYDRATED EVEN IF I’M NOT THIRSTY?’

Generally speaking, it’s safe to drink tap water, according to Dr. Brynna Connor, a board-certified family medicine physician in Frisco, Texas, and an ambassador for Northwestpharmacy.com.

“As long as it’s from a public water system and there aren’t any active boil water advisories issued by local health committees and/or water companies,” Connor told Fox News Digital.

Generally speaking, it’s safe to drink tap water, most experts agreed. Although there is some level of risk. (iStock)

“According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the public water system in the United States is one of the safest in the world, ensuring that water in the public systems meets federal standards for safe consumption.”

In some cases, however, there could be risks associated with drinking unfiltered tap water, including various illnesses affecting the gastrointestinal system, neurological system and reproductive system, according to Connor.

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“Additionally, lead poisoning and hepatitis are potential risks that come with drinking unfiltered tap water, along with nitrate contamination and fluoride exposure,” she added.

Infants, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to the potential risks that come with drinking unfiltered tap water, the doctor said.

In some cases, drinking unfiltered tap water could affect the gastrointestinal system, neurological system and reproductive system, a doctor warned. (iStock)

Jennifer Dunphy, a doctor of public health and co-founder of the WIN Network in Los Angeles, agreed that most tap water is regarded as safe to drink because it is regulated by standards that require harmful chemicals to be limited to a minimum. But that doesn’t mean there’s no risk at all.

“Just because tap water does not cause immediate health issues doesn’t mean there isn’t a concern for long-term health consequences,” she told Fox News Digital.

“The public water system in the United States is one of the safest in the world.”

Tap water may contain trace amounts of chemicals like chlorine and arsenic, the doctor warned.

“These chemicals may accumulate in the body over time, and there is conflicting evidence on whether they pose long-term health risks,” Dunphy said.

“If you’re drinking well water, be sure to check with the owner that they’re monitoring for any contaminants beforehand,” a doctor advised. (iStock)

Cherilyn Davis, a physician with Elliston Pediatrics in New York, reiterated that, in the U.S., it’s generally safe to drink tap water but noted that the regulations do not apply to wells that are privately owned.

“If you’re drinking well water, be sure to check with the owner that they’re monitoring for any contaminants beforehand,” she advised.

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If unfiltered tap water has contaminants in it, drinking it may lead to certain health issues like upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea and nausea, Davis warned.

Other symptoms may include headaches or even fever.

One way to combat potential chemicals is to use a home filtration system, according to experts. (iStock)

“If the unfiltered water contains high levels of lead, it can lead to learning problems for children,” she said.

“Chemicals and contaminants may end up in water simply because they’re naturally occurring in the environment, or it could be from the way land is operated on or nearby sewers or wastewater treatment systems that malfunction.”

Filtering out contaminants

One way to combat potential chemicals is to use a home filtration system.

“There are many affordable filtration systems that can filter out or mitigate the amount of chemicals left in your drinking water,” Dunphy said.

When choosing a system, she emphasized the importance of making sure it is proficient at filtering the chemicals of concern.

“If you don’t want to install an entire filtration system, you can use a faucet-mounted filter, a point-of-use filter or a pitcher filter,” one doctor said. (iStock)

“For example, only certain filters filter out arsenic, while some specific filtration systems are focused on chlorine,” she noted.

Filtration is especially important for those who use well water, the experts agreed.

“If you’re getting your tap water from a private well, it’s important to test the water regularly to ensure it’s safe,” Connor advised.

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“Well water can easily be contaminated by substances like heavy metals, bacteria, parasites and pesticides and/or herbicides, or other contaminants, such as plutonium, uranium or radium.”

Those who live in an area where the water is known to have high levels of contaminants or have a lead service line should also consider a filtration system, the doctor advised.

Filtration is especially important for people with health concerns, those with weakened immune systems and young children, according to a doctor. (iStock)

“If you don’t want to install an entire filtration system, you can use a faucet-mounted filter, a point-of-use filter or a pitcher filter,” she added.

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Joseph Mercola, a board-certified family medicine osteopathic physician in Florida, agrees that using a home filtration system is a “smart move” that can help improve taste and provide “peace of mind.”

Filtration is especially important for people with health concerns, those with weakened immune systems and young children, according to the doctor.

Experts recommend testing tap water regularly, which will help you choose the best filter for the contaminants in your area. (iStock)

“From my understanding, reverse osmosis systems are very effective, removing up to 99% of contaminants,” he told Fox News Digital. “If that’s not an option, activated carbon filters with ion exchange can also work well.”

Mercola recommends choosing a filter certified by NSF International to ensure that it’s effective.

Davis noted that while it’s not absolutely necessary to use a filtration system, it can help to further filter out any germs or contaminants.

“Some substances in tap water are good to drink, like fluoride, which keeps your teeth healthy,” she noted.

“Look for filters that eliminate only the unwanted components of the tap water.”

Testing is key, experts say

It’s crucial to be proactive about understanding what’s in your water, Mercola emphasized.

If unfiltered tap water has contaminants in it, drinking it may lead to certain health issues like upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea and nausea, an expert warned. (iStock)

“Drinking pure water is vital, as it supports your body’s functions and health.”

The doctor recommends testing tap water regularly, which will help you choose the best filter for the contaminants in your area.

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Homeowners can also read a local water quality report to better understand what’s in tap water, he advised.

“Drinking pure water is vital, as it supports your body’s functions and health.”

It’s important to follow local advisories about water safety in emergencies or when traveling to areas with questionable water quality, Mercola added.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

To check the quality of water in your area, several experts recommend visiting the Environmental Working Group (EWG) tap water database at https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/ and entering your zip code.

Fox News Digital reached out to Dallas Water Utilities requesting comment.

Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.rudy@fox.com.

Health

Matt Damon’s Gluten-Free Diet Helped Him Lose 18 Pounds

Published

8 hours ago

January 8, 2026

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Matt Damon’s Gluten-Free Diet Helped Him Lose 18 Pounds

Matt Damon’s Weight Loss: Actor Drops 18 Lbs with This Diet | Woman’s World

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Health

Deadly cancer risk could drop with single 10-minute workout, study suggests

Published

9 hours ago

January 8, 2026

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Deadly cancer risk could drop with single 10-minute workout, study suggests

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A single 10-minute workout may trigger blood changes that help fight colon cancer.

That’s according to new research from scientists at Newcastle University, who found that exercise quickly changes the blood in ways that affect colon cancer cells in the lab.

In the study, the U.K. researchers exposed colon cancer cells to human blood serum collected immediately after exercise, finding that the cells repaired DNA damage faster and showed gene activity patterns linked to slower growth.

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The blood samples came from 30 adults who had just completed a short, high-intensity cycling workout that lasted about 10 to 12 minutes, according to a press release.

Even a 10-minute burst of intense exercise may send protective signals through the blood that affect colon cancer cells, researchers say. (iStock)

Samuel T. Orange, an associate professor at Newcastle University and one of the study’s authors, spoke with Fox News Digital about the findings.

“Our findings show that exercise rapidly triggers molecular changes in the bloodstream that can act directly on colon cancer cells, reshaping gene activity and supporting DNA damage repair,” he said.

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The results suggest that even brief activity can make a difference. “Every movement matters. Exercise doesn’t need to last hours or happen in a gym,” Orange added.

The research suggests that exercise quickly triggers changes in the blood that affect colon cancer cells and helps support DNA repair. (iStock)

One of the most surprising findings, according to the researcher, was how strong the biological response was after even a single workout.

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“Exercise altered the activity of more than 1,000 genes in colon cancer cells,” he shared.

Even brief bouts of activity can make a difference, the researcher said. (iStock)

The study findings suggest that the effect is driven by exercise-triggered molecules released into the bloodstream, sometimes referred to as “exerkines,” which act like chemical messengers and send signals throughout the body.

“Each time you exercise, you trigger biological signals that support health and resilience to diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease,” Orange said.

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The researchers cautioned that the study was conducted using cancer cells grown in the laboratory, not in patients.

The findings are based on experiments using colon cancer cells grown in the lab, not studies conducted in people, the researchers noted. (iStock)

The study involved 30 healthy male and female volunteers between the ages of 50 and 78. Their blood samples were used to carry exercise-triggered signals to cancer cells grown in the lab.

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“These findings now need to be replicated in people with cancer,” Orange said. “We also need to better understand the longer-term effects of repeated exercise signals over time.”

Despite the limitations, the researcher said the findings strengthen the case for exercise as an important part of colon cancer prevention.

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“Each time you move your body and get a little breathless, you’re contributing to better health and may help influence biological processes linked to bowel cancer,” he added.

Kelly McGreal is a production assistant with the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.

Health

Brain Health Challenge: Try a Brain Teaser

Published

20 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Brain Health Challenge: Try a Brain Teaser

Welcome back! For Day 4 of the challenge, let’s do a short and fun activity based around a concept called cognitive reserve.

Decades of research show that people who have more years of education, more cognitively demanding jobs or more mentally stimulating hobbies all tend to have a reduced risk of cognitive impairment as they get older.

Experts think this is partly thanks to cognitive reserve: Basically, the more brain power you’ve built up over the years, the more you can stand to lose before you experience impairment. Researchers still don’t agree on how to measure cognitive reserve, but one theory is that better connections between different brain regions corresponds with more cognitive reserve.

To build up these connections, you need to stimulate your brain, said Dr. Joel Salinas, a neurologist at NYU Langone Health and the founder and chief medical officer of the telehealth platform Isaac Health. To do that, try an activity that is “challenging enough that it requires some effort but not so challenging that you don’t want to do it anymore,” he said.

Speaking a second language has been shown to be good for cognition, as has playing a musical instrument, visiting a museum and doing handicrafts like knitting or quilting. Reading is considered a mentally stimulating hobby, and experts say you’ll get an even bigger benefit if you join a book club to make it social. Listen to a podcast to learn something new, or, better yet, attend a lecture in person at a local college or community center, said Dr. Zaldy Tan, the director of the Memory and Healthy Aging Program at Cedars-Sinai. That adds a social component, plus the extra challenge of having to navigate your way there, he said.

A few studies have found that playing board games like chess can be good for your brain; the same goes for doing crossword puzzles. It’s possible that other types of puzzles, like those you find in brain teaser books or from New York Times Games, can also offer a cognitive benefit.

But there’s a catch: To get the best brain workout, the activity should not only be challenging but also new. If you do “Wordle every day, it’s like well, then you’re very, very good at Wordle, and the Wordle part of your brain has grown to be fantastic,” said Dr. Linda Selwa, a clinical professor of neurology at the University of Michigan Medical School. “But the rest of your mind might still need work.”

So play a game you’re not used to playing, Dr. Selwa said. “The novelty seems to be what’s driving brain remodeling and growth.”

Today, we want you to push yourself out of your cognitive comfort zone. Check out an online lecture or visit a museum with your challenge partner. Or try your hand at a new game, below. Share what novel thing you did today in the comments, and I’ll see you tomorrow for Day 5.