A Young Couple Both Developed Li.ver Ca.ncer Because of a Type of “Purified Water” Many People Believe Is Clean

Family members and friends were shocked when they heard the news. They could not understand how this young couple’s way of drinking water could lead to liver cancer.

The main figures in this heartbreaking story are Mr. Zhang and Ms. Li (China). Both are in their early thirties and have been married for nearly five years.

Recently, the wife had been feeling constantly fatigued for no apparent reason and developed noticeable jaundice, so she went for a medical check-up. Unexpectedly, the diagnosis showed that she had liver cancer. Doctors believed her cancer was related to lifestyle factors and asked Mr. Zhang to undergo similar tests. As a result, Mr. Zhang was also diagnosed with the same type of cancer.

The couple was extremely shocked. They cried continuously and blamed fate for being unfair. However, when doctors identified the exact cause of the disease as the bottled water they drank every day, they were left speechless. Both began expressing deep regret and blaming themselves for harming each other.

The Hidden Liver Cancer Trap Behind a “Clean” Water-Drinking Habit

It is known that the couple came from poor backgrounds. After years of struggling in a big city, their finances were still unstable, so they lived very frugally. Most of their income was saved for buying a house, and every expense was carefully calculated. However, when it came to drinking water, they insisted on buying bottled purified water, believing it to be cleaner than boiled tap water.

Unfortunately, the type of water they usually bought had serious problems. Mr. Zhang explained that although they wanted to take care of their health, their limited finances meant they could only choose cheap bottled water with unclear labeling, produced by small, manual workshops.

To get large discounts, they often stocked up in large quantities, storing the water at home from month to month and even year to year, carelessly assuming that purified water had no expiration date. Due to their busy work schedules and careless habits, partially used bottles were often left lying around the house, and they would simply drink from whichever bottle they picked up. Like many others, they paid little attention to the quality and storage conditions of bottled water, and eventually developed cancer without realizing it.

Why Can This Way of Drinking Bottled Water Cause Liver Cancer?

The attending doctors confirmed that bottled water from reputable brands is generally safe if stored properly. However, the greatest risk lies in so-called “three-no” products: no label, no inspection, and bottles made from low-quality recycled plastic.

Experts also point out that even bottled water produced under strict standards can pose risks if storage and transportation conditions are poor. Moreover, bottled water does have an expiration date. Especially after opening, it should only be consumed within 3–7 days, depending on the type and storage conditions.

A study from Columbia University (USA), published in the journal PNAS in early 2024, found that one liter of bottled water contains an average of about 240,000 microplastic particles. With low-quality plastics, when exposed to sunlight or stored for long periods, toxic chemicals such as antimony or bisphenol A can leach directly into the water.

Drinking from the same bottle over many days allows bacteria from the mouth and the environment to enter and multiply rapidly. Bottles left lying around are also poorly stored and may deteriorate or even undergo chemical changes more quickly.

The liver is the body’s main detoxification organ. When we consume water contaminated with bacteria or plastic-related impurities, the liver must work overtime to filter out toxins. Prolonged exposure can lead to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and eventually cancer.

Low-quality bottled water (in terms of both water quality and plastic containers), water stored for too long, or water contaminated with bacteria can also harm many other organs besides the liver. Other unsafe types of water—such as overnight water, repeatedly boiled water, or untreated natural water—are also harmful to health.