Chemicals in Tap Water – Health Risks You Face
Chemicals in tap water? If you drink tap water that has not been run through a “point-of-use” or home purifier the answer is: YES. So then what health risks do you face? The answers to those questions and more are included here.
The Chemicals in Tap Water
Chlorine, used for disinfection, is bad for the digestive system, toxic to the respiratory system, irritating to the skin, nose and eyes. It reacts with bacteria in the water, on the skin and household surfaces to form THMs, known carcinogens. If you drink tap water that is chlorinated, you increase your risk of cancer and damage you digestive tract.
Other chemicals in tap water include benzene, Atrazine, alachlor, lindane and TCE, other known carcinogens. VOCs or volatile organic compounds are present in most supplies. Some cause cancer. Others affect the function of different organs, including the thyroid gland. MTBE has been found in some water supplies. While it is not believed to cause cancer, it can cause illness.
If you drink tap water that has not been purified with a device that includes granular carbon and a multi-media block, you may be slowly damaging your health. But, drinking bottled water is not a better option. They are just as likely to be contaminated.
Lead and other Metallic Ions – Health Risks
In addition to chemicals in tap water, lead and other metallic ions have been found in a number of homes around the world. Lead causes brain damage, learning disabilities and behavioral problems.
If you drink tap water contaminated with tiny traces of lead throughout your lifetime, you are more likely to have high blood pressure, heart disease and osteoporosis. Primarily, because lead inhibits the body’s ability to absorb necessary nutrients from the foods that you eat.
Home purifiers must include an ion exchange step to effectively reduce lead. The step also improves taste and mineral content.
Parasitic Cysts – Health Risks
We have been warned that our supplies may contain cysts and they may even be present in bottled brands. Cryptosporidium and giardia cysts cause symptoms similar to food poisoning. This may be a minor illness, but it can be a major illness, resulting in fatality, in a person with a poorly functioning immune system or in a child, whose immune system is not fully developed.
A submicron particle filter will capture more than 99.99% of all cysts. If you’ve been ill, you should only drink tap water that has been run through this type of system or boil everything that you drink, brush your teeth with or use for washing fruits and vegetables. To avoid illness, the rest of us should take the same precautions.
The best purifiers on the market include of the necessary steps to remove cancer-causing chemicals, chlorine MTBE, lead and cysts. The cost is far below what you would need to pay for enough bottled water to meet your necessary daily requirements.
As you can see, there are many health threats from the common contaminants and chemicals in tap water. Do your research as I did and you will find how to effectively remove chemicals in tap water. Take the necessary steps to protect yourself, today not later.
