Is Your Water Safe?

“Tap water, or bottled water?” This is usually a question that comes up whenever I go out to dinner with friends or associates. How some answer this question likely comes down to their knowledge of water and whether or not they’re willing to pay a few extra dollars. However, for those who may know a bit more about the water that comes from the tap, especially those of us who have experienced health challenges in the past and would prefer to leave them there, how we answer this question should be simple.

The water that runs freely in businesses and our homes are full of chemicals that are used to make the water “safe” for consumption. Unfortunately, in so doing, we are essentially trading some harmful elements for many others. With regulation, the EPA and FDA are well aware of the chemicals that are used to treat the water that flows into our homes and the fact that traces of these chemicals still remain when the drinking glass touches our lips. Therefore, we could potentially be drinking a wide array of chemicals on a regular basis that may eventually harm our health.

According to a 2013 Scientific American article, a study on various water treatment plants across the United States showed 18 unregulated chemicals in the water. Of these 18 unregulated chemicals, 11 were perfluorinated chemicals (which are used to make items resistant to stains, water, and grease), an herbicide, antidepressant, caffeine, an antibacterial compound, two solvents, and a metal. Altogether there were 21 different chemicals in the water at very low doses. Currently, there is no scientific evidence about the effects that these low doses can produce overtime. However, one of the compounds, known as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), has been linked to health problems, including cancer. Scientists have also proven that there is a “probable” link between PFOA in drinking water and high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, testicular cancer, kidney cancer, and pregnancy-induced hypertension.

If you ever travel to developing countries, you would understand the need for clean tap water. Unclean water contains many different strains of bacteria, often from human or animal waste, that can make one very sick. In order to clean the water, treatment plants are tasked with disinfecting the water before it is recycled back to our homes to ensure that the bacteria have been destroyed.

To disinfect our water, these water treatment plants are introducing chlorine into the water. At times, you may even smell a bleach-like odor when at what comes out of your faucets. Although it’s been proven to be an effective cleaning agent, chlorine taken in small doses over time can lead to bladder, breast and rectal cancers, and also asthma. Some scientists now believe that this method of “cleaning” the water may not be very effective in ridding the water of bacteria as strains are beginning to become resistant to chlorine.

Fluoride is a neurotoxin that was added to community water supplies in the United States during the 1940s as a public push to prevent tooth decay in children. Contrary to its intent, there has been very little proof that this additive has been effective in preventing tooth decay. However, it was very effective in increasing cancer death rates within two years of its introduction to our water supply. Although the government did lower the amount of fluoride that could be used in our water systems back in 2011, the risks of fluoride in our water still remain.

As if cancer weren’t enough of a drawback for fluoride, this toxin has also been linked to declining thyroid health. The United States is in the minority, when it comes to countries that fluoridate the water supply. Interestingly enough, we see a corresponding high rate of hypothyroidism, affecting approximately 15 million people. In a British study, there was a direct correlation in the amount of fluoride consumed and an underactive thyroid.

This is because the thyroid needs iodine to function properly. Iodine and fluoride are both in the halogen family of elements on the left side of the noble gases of the periodic table. Halogens are toxic, non-metallic elements. Because fluoride is the lighter of the two halogens and is a negative ion, it can easily displace iodine in the body. With continued consumption of fluoride, the body will continue to displace the iodine needed by the thyroid and will eventually cause the thyroid to lose its ability to function. Once the thyroid begins to underperform, hypothyroidism will result.

Perhaps you are among the many, these days, who are choosing to use a natural, organic, and holistic approach to your health. However, if you are consuming water straight out of the top, you may be ingesting pharmaceutical medications that were not intended for your body. As your friends and neighbors ingest their prescribed medications or synthetic hormones, these medications will eventually find their way into the water system when they are excreted from the body. Although we’re not yet aware of the effects, birth control pills in the water system could be affecting womens’ ability to conceive, or even the health of their unborn child. Unfortunately, to date, there is no way of removing all of the medications from the water supply. However, there are methods of filtering your water that can help to remove a number of toxins from your tap.

Boiling your water. This method is only beneficial in killing off bacteria in your water that could be harmful for your body. However, it is not helpful in eliminating any heavy metals or chemicals such as fluoride, chlorine, hormones or medication.

Distillation. This also involves heating the water; however, the water vapors are trapped in another container and allowed to re-condense. This method does remove sediments, minerals and chemicals. However, in removing the minerals from the water, it removes minerals that are required by the body.

UV Light Treatment destroys 99.99% of bacteria, including E. coli. Some substances decrease the effectiveness of this method: suspended solids, iron, manganese, calcium, magnesium, and sediment. If any of these exist in your water supply, this method will not be proven beneficial for you.

Reverse osmosis uses a semi-permeable membrane that only allows water molecules to pass through. Because the membrane has very tiny holes, only large enough for the water molecules to pass, the majority of contaminants are left out of the water. However, if molecules in hormones or viruses are small enough, they can still make it past the membrane. Overall, it is helpful in removing pesticides, fluoride and chlorine. With all of the contaminants removed, some essential minerals are removed from the water as well in this process. Therefore, it would be beneficial to either add Himalayan salt to your drinking water, or use it on your food or as a supplement throughout the day.

Activated Charcoal is charcoal that has been activated by an oxygenation process, making the charcoal more porous. As water passes through the pores, the carbon attracts certain chemicals and absorbs them. Because the carbon absorbs the chemicals, the carbon will eventually become ineffective and will need to be replaced. This method works for certain chemicals such as chorine, but not for heavy metals or minerals such as fluoride.

As drinking is not the only way that the chemicals in tap water can affect your body, you may want to consider a whole house water filtration system for your home. For example, in the shower, your body is able to absorb up to eight glasses of water. Because it is being absorbed by your skin, the water can directly enter your bloodstream. If you have very sensitive skin, you may notice skin rashes, dry, flaky and itchy skin, or even irritated eyes after leaving your shower stall.

If taking a hot shower, you could also be exposing yourself to chloroform, a derivative of chlorine and a known carcinogen. The EPA has indicated that virtually every home has detectable levels of chloroform in their homes due to taking showers with chlorinated water. This could be one of the reasons why you may be feeling tired, especially when you’re at home.

By investing in a water filtration system for your home or shower, you can reduce or eliminate the toxins absorbed by your skin in the shower, through your lungs, as well as in your drinking water. Some prefer to use a whole house water system in addition to a water filtration system for drinking water to ensure that the water is clean from as many contaminants as possible.

If you’re unable to invest in a whole house system, look into counter-top or under-the-counter water systems that can eliminate chlorine, fluoride, and a host of other chemicals from your drinking water. You’ll also want to find shower filters that can do the same. This investment will definitely be worthwhile for you and the health of everyone in your household.

Water is essential to life. Make sure that your water is beneficial for your body, doing more good for you than harm. Eliminating as many toxins as possible in your everyday life is essential for living a healthy and happy life.

Ready to make your health a priority? Contact me here to schedule your consultation.

Sources:
http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/14913/1/What-Chemicals-Are-in-Tap-Water.html
http://www.businessinsider.com/what-ingredients-are-in-tap-water-2016-1
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/water-guide
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/unregulated-chemicals-found-in-drinking-water/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/28/fluoride-drinking-water.aspx
https://purifieradvisors.com/common-methods-of-water-purification-and-disinfection-at-home/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/12/18/distilled-water-interview.aspx
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/question209.htm
http://www.livestrong.com/article/193977-what-do-carbon-filters-remove-from-water/
http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/dangers-of-chlorine-in-your-shower/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2017/05/23/fluoridated-water-destroys-brain-teeth.aspx
http://www.webmd.com/women/news/20150225/fluoride-in-drinking-water-tied-to-higher-rates-of-underactive-thyroid#1
http://www.naturalnews.com/031317_fluoride_iodine.html