We
consume it, we bathe in it, over half of our body weight is made of it, and
without it, we simply cannot survive. But how can we be certain that the water
we are putting into our bodies is as natural and pure as we assume it to be?
As a parent, you always strive to protect your children from all dangers. One of those dangers may very well be residing in your very home. The water which we bathe and ingest can be filled with hazardous chemicals. After recent events in Flint, Michigan have placed the quality of municipal water sources in question, it may well be time to consider what may be hiding in your water and how you can make sure your children are protected. Many undesirable chemicals can be found in water. A few of the most common and toxic elements are:
Lead
Lead
is a powerful neurotoxin whose effects are harrowing. Indeed, one needs not
look any further than Flint, Michigan to see the effects of water pollution due
to lead. Lead poisoning in water can cause permanent brain damage in children,
leading to severe learning impairment.
It can also cause aggressive and hyperactive behavior.
What
makes lead poisoning so frightening is that it there are no symptoms, and
ailments often don't reveal themselves until years after exposure. Although
lead poisoning does not discriminate, those most susceptible are pregnant women
and children. Even the slightest trace of lead in water can have life-long
effects on children.
Fluoride
and Chlorine
Unlike
lead which contains no benefits to our health when present in water, there are actually
benefits in the mineral fluoride. According to the ADA (American Dental
Association), the AAP (Academy of Pediatrics) and the CDC (Center for Disease
Control), fluoride succeeds in preventing and reversing signs of tooth decay in
children.
This
does not mean that fluoride is not without risks, however. The presence of
fluoride in water is highly controversial. According to the American Cancer
Society, the maximum amount of fluoride in drinking water should be 4.0 mg/L,
any greater can lead to skeletal fluorosis. This is a condition in which fluoride
builds up causes weak and painful bones.
Much
like fluoride, studies have been conflicting regarding the safety of chlorine
in the water. Although a powerful disinfectant, excess levels can cause certain
ailments such as asthma and bronchitis and even various cancers. Chlorine also
kills the bacteria in our digestive system by wiping out healthy bacteria.
What
You Can Do
To
protect your family, investing in water filters and shower filters is one of the
easiest and most effective ways you can keep these chemicals at bay. The
benefits are numerous and simply installing shower filters can kill off the
bacteria which piles up inside and unfiltered shower head.
In
addition, chlorine affects children most via inhalation. A shower filter will
minimize chlorine from entering the body, which will in turn lessen the
possibilities for health risks in children such as asthma and allergies. Water
filters are also an easy and cost-effective option. At a time when water can
become contaminated without our knowledge, water filters are an excellent
option in filtering out these contaminants and taking the health of yourself
and loved ones in your own hands.