Only 75 of the 2100 possible toxic chemicals found in water are regularly checked by public facilities. Chlorine, for example, is both added and checked. Since water must travel and be stored before it arrives in a home, it is necessary to be sure bacteria and other pathogens do not grow in it. The addition of chlorine rids the water of many of these toxins along with removing the possible presence of cholera, typhoid, and dysentery.
This benefit comes with serious side effects. Chlorine is able to form substances called THMs (trihalomethanes). These are cancer causing and can damage cells. Chlorine can also scar the arteries thus making it easier for cholesterol to attach itself to the walls. Yet, it is common in many cities for the maximum level of chlorine allowed in the public water system to be greater than recommended swimming pools!
To make matters worse, when a city’s water is contaminated and extra chlorine is added, an increase in the number of cases of cancers of the kidney, bladder, and urinary tract is evident. In one state the public water contains sixty-three cancer causing compounds formed when chlorine combines with common pollutants such as methanol and carbon disulfide.
To solve this chlorine problem we can just filter our drinking water and all is well, right? I’m afraid not. An even greater risk of chlorine poisoning occurs in the shower! The hot water and steam subject the body to far more chlorine than would be present in drinking water alone. You see, chlorine evaporates at a lower temperature than water and, as a result, the steam of the shower can contain up to 20 times the concentration of chlorine that liquid water might have. During a 20 minute shower, a person could breathe in the same amount of chlorine they would get drinking two quarts of water. The reason is that, in the closed bathroom, the concentration increases. . The resulting chloroform gas intake may cause a greater risk of cancer as well as bronchitis and asthma. In addition, the warm water opens the pores and additional chlorine is absorbed causing skin irritations such as eczema.
How do you know if you are getting chlorine poisoning? Evidence of mild chlorine toxicity may include eye, skin, or airway irritation, sore throat, headaches, and cough. Chest tightness is an indication of possible higher levels of toxicity.
Several years ago a friend shared that every time she cleaned the bathtub, she would suffer from breathing problems and exhaustion. Later she learned that the chlorine bleach mixed with ammonia she used and gave off chlorine gas in the confines of the tub area. In a similar way, the confined area of the shower along with heated, chlorinated water, can cause a person to inhale more chlorine than they realize.
This problem can be solved with a special chlorine shower filter designed to remove chlorine before the water comes out of the head. One example, made by Berkey, is able to remove up to ninety-five percent of the chlorine in the water, and in addition to remove hydrogen sulfide, scale, microorganisms, and water-soluble heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and iron. In addition, the filter is able to kill bacteria and to inhibit the growth of algae and fungi. The showerhead filter also reduces cleaning time in the shower by filtering out lime scale and mold.
Plenty of tests have shown that chlorine poisoning from city water can indeed be a serious health issue. It would be very wise to reduce its intake by filtering drinking and cooking water, as well as filtering shower water.
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