Water is essential to life. It is what we, and everything on this planet, including the earth itself is made of.
Around 60% of our body is made up of water. And for most people, the water you're drinking is straight from the tap.
But have you ever wondered what’s in your tap water?
Unfortunately due to environmental pollution, chemical contaminants are finding their way into our water supplies from municipal sewage, polluted runoff, agriculture, industrial pollution, chemicals, old eroding water pipes and more.
Tap water has been shown to contain heavy metals, additives, chlorination by-products, pesticides, arsenic, radon and rocket fuel to name a few.
For Australians, our tap water is only monitored for 70 chemicals, however, there are over 300 known chemicals that should be monitored. In the U.S. is it estimated that there are 140 known chemicals that are not regulated by the EPA that are in tap water.
WHAT’S IN YOUR TAP WATER?
CHLORINE
Chlorine is added to almost every municipal water supply in the industrialised world. This is done to kills bacteria in the water, protecting against waterborne diseases, unfortunately, chlorine has been linked to skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, as well as respiratory conditions such as asthma.
Another problem with chlorine is that it reacts with naturally occurring organic compounds found in water supplies, producing compounds known as disinfection byproducts (DBPs). These have been linked to potential liver damage, bladder cancer, reproductive disorders, weekend immune systems and decreased nervous system activity in large doses.
Additionally, where ammonia is present in chlorinated water, chloramines also form. The health effects of unregulated byproducts produced by chloramines, are largely unknown. Chlorine also forms into chloroform and other gases when heated from the dishwasher, tap or shower.
FLUORIDE
Fluoride is increasingly added to water sources, we are told this is because it's good for our teeth – however, long term exposure to fluoride in too large a dose can actually lead to fluorosis of the teeth. Other research suggests fluoride can affect the pineal gland, whilst accumulations in the body have been linked to conditions such as bone cancer, thyroid disorders, low IQ, low sperm quality and fertility problems and neurological, gastrointestinal and muscular disorders. There is also evidence to suggest that fluoride offers no tangible dental benefits.
Did you know, 97% of drinking water in Western Europe is NOT fluoridated because it could NOT be proven to be safe!
HEAVY METALS
Aluminium, lead, copper, nickel, mercury, cadmium, arsenic just to name a few. Long term exposure of heavy metals is linked learning difficulties in children such as low IQ and memory problems, brain, heart and kidney problems such as high blood pressure, nervous system disorders, anaemia and neurological disorders, blood and vitamin D metabolism. They have also been linked to fertility issues such as low sperm quality and miscarriage and even cancer.
VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOCS)
VOCS (volatile organic compounds) are present in many products from personal care and cleaning products to pesticides and herbicides. They often end up in water supplies via increased environmental pollution or agricultural run-off.
VOCS, if ingested above certain levels, have been found to cause cancer, leukaemia, problems in the liver, kidneys, nervous, hormone and endocrine systems, birth defects, neurological problems, as well as skin and reproductive issues.
VOCS are found in:
Pesticides
Copy machines
Printers
Air Fresheners
Building materials and furnishings
Cleaners and disinfectants
Moth repellents
Glues
Wood preservatives
Dry-cleaning fluids
Adhesives
Paints and paint thinners
Solvents
Cigarettes
ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS
Endocrine disruptors are increasingly found in water supplies, from sources such as birth control pills or personal care product residues. They are known to cause learning disabilities, hormonal and fertility problems for both males and females, thyroid issues, cancer, impaired immune function, digestive disorders, weight gain, early menopause, sexual dysfunction, neurological issues & diabetes to name a few things.
What about Bottled Water? Bottled water may be sourced from a natural spring (stated on the label) while others (most actually) are filtered tap water. As most bottled water is in plastic it is also bound to contain traces of plastic chemicals such as BPA (another endocrine disruptor) and other contaminants.
Whilst the body is a truly powerful thing designed to remove toxins from our bodies, the sheer number of environmental toxins in today’s society causes an overburden to our immune systems. So any steps you can take to reduce this toxic load is a good thing.
Using a water filter in your home is one of the best ways to help reduce and remove these toxins from your life.
So how can you remove these from your tap water?
The most effective way to is to use a water filter.
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P.S If you can I also recommend using a shower filter to remove the hazardous chlorine from your shower (which remember, when heated also turned into chloroform and other gases.) Find the one that I recommend here- FOR 20% OFF USE CODE MBSC