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Drinking water contaminants have always been a problem. The type and amount varies from one place to the next. Some are more likely to be present during different seasons of the years. The concentration can even vary at different times of the day, which makes accurate testing difficult. To test for lead, for example, a sample should be taken in the morning. The faucets should not be turned on during the night and the toilet should not be flushed. When people expect to have the test done, they are advised to fill buckets or glasses to meet their needs for at least 8-10 hours. The sample is taken as soon as the water is turned on in the morning. This is believed to reveal the maximum amount of lead that would be present at any time during the day. But, in actuality, that’s only an educated guess. No one really knows. Lead has been used in waterline construction since the first pipes were laid thousands of years ago in Rome. The word “plumbing” is actually derived from the Latin word for lead. As far as drinking water contaminants go, lead has been around forever. It is naturally present in soil and rocks, which means it is naturally present in groundwater. But the main reason it has become such a problem in recent years is due to the presence of the corrosive chlorine. Discovering that chlorine would kill illness-causing bacteria has helped to prevent the outbreak of waterborne illnesses throughout the world. But, there was something of a trade-off. Chlorine dislodges lead from the pipelines and welded points increasing the concentration of that hazardous heavy metal to the point of causing significant long-term health problems for thousands and thousands of people. It’s not one of the drinking water contaminants that will kill you quickly, because it is present in the parts per billion. But long-term exposure to those tiny doses has contributed to high blood pressure, heart disease, learning disabilities, behavioural problems and even the crime rate in cities according to researchers. Chlorine gas is poisonous. It can kill you quickly if present in high enough concentrations. The amount used to kill bacteria and prevent algae from growing in the pipes is not enough to kill you, but exposure to the gases (especially during a shower) increases your risk of certain types of cancer including bladder cancer. Scientists believe that drinking water contaminants like chlorine become stuck in the bladder and kidneys doing damage on a cellular level that eventually leads to the formation of a cancer cell. Once one cancer cell is present, it can easily spread to take over the entire organ. In addition to chlorine and lead, there are illness causing cysts, volatile organic compounds like perchlorate, pesticides, herbicides and hundreds of other chemicals in public supplies. The treatment facilities believe they are doing as much as they can to remove drinking water contaminants. The rest is up to you. If you don’t already have one, you need a good purifier. Learn more about how to choose one Gordon Hall is fervent about enabling you and everyone to live a healthy lifestyle, and is an ardent reviewer of Water Purification Systems. Visit his website now at Water-Safe-And-Pure.com to discover which Water Purification Systems Gordon recommends after far ranging comparisons.
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