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Updated: May 15, 2026
05:19
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment of Carcinogen-induced Murine Bladder Tumors
Published on: March 29, 2019
Nitrate in drinking water and bladder cancer: a meta-analysis
Weiwei Wang1, Yunzhou Fan1, Guanglian Xiong1
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
Summary
This meta-analysis found no sufficient evidence linking nitrate in drinking water to an increased risk of bladder cancer. Further research is needed to confirm these findings on water quality and cancer risk.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Nitrate contamination in drinking water is a widespread environmental concern.
- Potential links between nitrate exposure and various health outcomes, including cancer, require thorough investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate the association between nitrate exposure from drinking water and the risk of developing bladder cancer.
- To perform a meta-analysis of existing epidemiological studies to quantify this potential risk.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies.
- A meta-analysis was performed on adjusted and unadjusted data from cohort, case-control, and ecological studies.
- Heterogeneity, publication bias, and study quality were assessed using established statistical methods.
Main Results:
- Adjusted risk ratios for intermediate and high nitrate exposure groups were 1.13 (95% CI: 0.81–1.57) and 1.27 (95% CI: 0.75–2.15), respectively.
- Unadjusted risk ratios were 1.18 (95% CI: 0.89–1.57) and 1.29 (95% CI: 0.81–2.07).
- Sensitivity analysis indicated potential underestimation of risk when a specific study was included; no significant publication bias was detected.
Conclusions:
- The current meta-analysis did not find sufficient evidence to support an association between nitrate in drinking water and an increased risk of bladder cancer.
- Further high-quality epidemiological studies are warranted to definitively assess the relationship between water nitrate levels and bladder cancer incidence.
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