Dangers Lurking Inside Your Unfiltered Water

Every day, we read posts about the dangers of eating fat, butter, sugar, salt, and meat, but never do we stop to think about the dangers of unfiltered water. Tap water contains hazardous contaminants that pose a threat to our very well being.

• The average adult's body consists of up to 60% water, while babies are up to 75% water.
• The human brain contains 70% water (it shows, sometimes!).
• And your lungs are close to 90% water.

It's clear to see that the water we consume, makes an enormous impact on our health, and it is becoming harder to find clean water that is free from harmful microorganisms.

During the treatment process, water treatment facilities add chemicals such as chlorine and fluoride to the water. The tamest of all the contaminants, chlorine is the leading cause of bladder cancer, followed closely by premature skin aging, birth defects, asthma, breast, and rectal cancer.

Fluoride is supposed to prevent dental problems, but it has been found to actually damage the tooth enamel, increases the risk of fractures and cancers, suppresses thyroid function, and disrupt the function of the pineal gland.

Potential Risks of Toxins in Tap Water

Acute exposure to contaminants in water can cause irritation of the eyes and skin, and lead to vomiting and diarrhea. However, industrial chemicals and neurotoxins present in public water systems are a major cause of concern. Here are some of the dangers that lurk in your drinking water:

#1 Danger Lurking Inside Your Unfiltered Water: Radium

While perchlorate, THMs, and HAAs appear in water in some places, radium occurs naturally in untreated groundwater. Although purification techniques remove up to 90% of radium, even exposure to trace amounts poses dangers. It can lead to a variety of cancers after long-term exposure.

#2 Danger Lurking Inside Your Unfiltered Water: Arsenic

Arsenic is another naturally occurring hazardous element. However, large amounts may be caused by poor handling of agricultural and industrial waste. It can be hard to detect through taste or smell, but it still poses risks of lymphatic cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, and Type II Diabetes.

#3 Danger Lurking Inside Your Unfiltered Water: Hexavalent Chromium

Made famous by Erin Brockovich, this chemical continues to poison many thousands of people. The toxin carries no regulation in most parts of the world.

#4 Danger Lurking Inside Your Unfiltered Water: Pharmaceutical Drugs

Most municipal water supplies carry a pharmacy's worth of drugs that make their way into our drinking water. From simple painkillers to birth control pills, antibiotics, antidepressants and a variety of other psychiatric medications, a glass of tap water cover it all.

#5 Danger Lurking Inside Your Unfiltered Water: Radioactive Contaminants

The radioactive fallout from Japan is spreading into the waters surrounding the US and other parts of the world. Tellurium isotopes and radioactive cesium are making their way into our drinking water, and as of yet, the health implications are unknown.

#6 Danger Lurking Inside Your Unfiltered Water: Heavy Metals

Aluminum, lead and heavy metals make their way into potable water as the result of corrosion in the plumbing system and pipes. Aluminum and several other heavy metals have been linked to kidney, brain, and nerve damage, while lead has been linked to learning disorders and severe developmental delays in children.

What to Do About Dangers in Unfiltered Water?

It is clear that tap water is not healthy, but then again, we need it to cook, clean, and wash our laundry. Most importantly, we need to drink water to remain hydrated. The best thing you can do is to invest in a whole house reverse osmosis filtration system. Speak to Anta Plumbing about your options.