Know Your Water and The Potential Contaminants
Drinking water (including bottled water) is expected to contain small amounts of contaminants. The Environemental Protection Agency (EPA) sets standards for roughly 90 contaminants in drinking water. These contaminants are seperated into 6 categories:
1) Microbes - include coliform bacteria, E. Coli, cryptosporidium, and Giardia lambia. Turbid water can be an indication that disease-causing organisms could potentially grow or exist. These organisms consist of bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can create nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and headaches.
2) Radionuclides - minerals that may emit radiation known as alpha radiation, photons, and beta radiation. Consumption of such water contactaminated above EPA’s standards could increase cancer risks.
3) Inorganic Contaminants - Arsenic (results in damaged skin, problematic circulatory system, and increase cancer risks), Asbestos, Cadmium, Copper, Fluoride (results in brown staining or pitting of the permanent teeth), Lead (leaches into water and poses a health risk to pregnant women and children), and Mercury.
4) Disinfectants - consumption of chlorine in excess of EPA’s standar could create irritating effects to eyes and nose. Fetuses, infants, and children could experience nervous system effects.
5) Disinfection Byproducts - Trhalomethanes (THM) in excess of EPA’s standards consumed over many years may create liver, kidney, central nervous system problems, and could increase cancer risks.
6) Commerial Additions to Water - hazardous sweeteners, toxic dyes, artificial flavors, and chemicals used in colas and other artificially carbonated beverages. These chemicals are more dangerous than inorganic minerals in tap water.
Make sure you are always using a water filter that has the ability to make your water as safe as possible.
Now you are educated on the different kinds of contaminants found in water. Stay tuned for the next article titled “Choosing the right kind of water“
