The Risks of not Using a Drinking Water Filter
By Thomas Manso | August 9, 2008
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Getting ready to buy drinking water filters? That’s a great decision. Some people believe that a drinking water filter for their home is not a necessary expense. This is difficult to believe because they are not expensive, at all.
Drinking water filters cost way less than a television or a personal computer. Nonetheless, for some people those articles are considered “necessities”. It is very unusual these days to visit a home that doesn’t have a TV set and a computer, but it’s also unusual to see a drinking water filter in the home or in the kitchen sink.
Groups of scientists and environmentalist warn governments about the dangers of chlorination, but there are as well dangers associated with no chlorination. During the Peruvian cholera outbreak in 1991, the local facilities were advised by the experts to use chlorine to kill the cholera pathogen. Nonetheless, local officials in Peru and other countries were reluctant to use it, because chlorination by-products or THMs increase the risk of cancer.
Researchers in Canada recently estimated that a total of 703 cancer cases per year were caused by exposure to THMs. But, 10,000 people died from cholera between the months of January and February, 1991 in Peru.
Yes, THMs increase the risk of cancer and everyone should have showerhead and drinking water filters to reduce the risk. But, don’t petition government agencies to stop chlorinating the water. It just isn’t practical.
Chlorine is used nearly everywhere and government agencies try to control the amount of exposure as much as possible, but in reality no other disinfection method is as effective as chlorine. Buying a drinking water filter that removes chlorine and THMs is the sensible solution.
If treatment facilities do not add chlorine, algae will begin to grow in the pipes. Algae itself will affect the taste of water, but microorganisms that cause cholera and other waterborne illnesses would begin to flourish among the algae. I mention this in case you were wondering why treatment facilities couldn’t use carbon filtration to remove the chlorine as the water leaves the facility.
Another recent study found unacceptable the risk to those who swim in chlorinated pools combined with exposure at home from drinking and showering, and that something should be done about it. But, the study failed to recommend that people should at least get showerheads and drinking water filters for their homes.
In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency now demands that facilities publish a quality report every year. On them, they need to include chlorine and chloramines, along with THMs.
The facilities annual reports was required after a study in California showed that women who drink five or more glasses a day of ordinary tap water have a higher rate of miscarriage, possibly due to chlorine. One wonders, why didn’t they suggest that pregnant women get a drinking water filter? It seems such an easy and inexpensive solution. It cost less than neo-natal vitamins.
Scientists want to warn you of the risks and government officials leave it up to you to make the decision. You can find the best drinking water filters on the market for less than $125 and showerhead units for even less. I believe your family’s health is worth the investment, don’t you?
Topics: Nutrition |
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