Tap Water Safe? You Will Be Shocked

Recent report by the non-profit environmental working group has raised questions about the health and safely of public water supplies. We have heart that tapped water is better than bottles water but is that really the case?

Here are some of the questions and answers to maybe be able to clear the confusion about the issue.

A study published on the New York Times, pointed out that the federal law that regulate our tapped water is 35 years old.

Cynthia Sass a nutritionist explained to the ABC “The safe drinking water act means that there are 91 contaminants that could be in your water that regulated by the EPA “The environmental protection agency” and they basically set an allowable limits to these 91 contaminants, but what we know is that there is 60,000 chemicals used in the United States that could end up in your water. and there are at least 202 chemicals that are not subject to any government regulation or safety standard for drinking water. Many people say that this law maybe outdated and maybe there are not enough regulations. Moreover, another study took sample from water in the United States and they were shocked to find at least 50 kind of chemical used by pharmaceutical companies in the water.

“The nation’s tap water has been compromised by weak federal safeguards and pitiful protection of drinking water supplies,” said Jane Houlihan, senior vice president for research at EWG.

Is there any movement to update this law to make sure the water is safe?

Water is the most nutrients in our diet and we should be consuming safe non-contaminated water. Unfortunately, there is not enough movement to modify the regulations so far.

We Need Water, what is the solution? Here are some tips to drink safer water.

• Buy a water filtering system: Make sure to look for one approved by the NSF “the National Sanitation Foundation”. These might cost between 50-100 $ and would serve you for few months.

• You can go to EWG.org and enter your zip code to see Drinking Water Quality Report in your area. Then contact your local legislators to modify the law.

• Bottled Water: Drink filtered tap water instead.
  You can read the bottle label, but you still won’t know if the water is pure and natural, or just processed, polluted, packaged tap water. EWG found 38 contaminants in 10 popular brands.

• Tap water suppliers publish all their water quality tests. Bottled water companies don’t. Read your annual tap water quality report. Look up your city’s water in EWG’s National Tap Water Atlas (www.ewg.org/tap-water). (Private well? Get it tested.)

• Filtered Tap Water: Drink it, cook with it.
  1. Choose a filter certified to remove contaminants found in your water: (www.ewg.org/tap water/getwaterfilter)
  2. Effectiveness varies – read the fine print.
  Carbon filters (pitcher or tap-mounted) are affordable and reduce many common water contaminants, like lead and byproducts of the disinfection process used to treat municipal tap water.
  3. Install a reverse osmosis filter if you can afford it, to remove contaminants that carbon filters can’t eliminate, likearsenic and perchlorate (rocket fuel).

• Filters: Change them.
  Change your water filters on time. Old filters aren’t safe – they harbor bacteria and let contaminants through.

• On the Go: Carry water in safe containers.
  Hard plastic bottles (#7 plastic) can leach a harmful plastics chemical called bisphenol A (BPA) into water. Carry stainless steel or other BPA-free bottles. Don’t reuse bottled water bottles. The plastic can harbor bacteria and break down to release plastics chemicals.

• While Pregnant: Stay hydrated with safe water.
  It’s especially important for women to drink plenty of water during pregnancy. Follow all the tips above, and take your doctor’s advice on how much to drink.

• Infants: Use safe water for formula.
  Use filtered tap water for your baby’s formula. If your water is not fluoridated, you can use a carbon filter. If it is, use a reverse osmosis filter to remove the fluoride, because fluoridated water can damage an infant’s developing teeth. If you choose bottled water for your infant, make sure it’s fluoride-free. Learn more at www.ewg.org/babysafe.

• Breathe Easy: Use a whole house water filter.
  For extra protection, a whole house carbon filter will remove contaminants from steamy vapors you and your family inhale while showering and washing dishes. Effectiveness varies widely – call the manufacturer for details.

Drugs found in drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans

After around five months of intensive research, the Associated Press investigation shows that a vast array of pharmaceuticals — including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones — have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans. According to the research, people take their medication, then the body absorbs some of that medicine, the rest goes to the toilet. Some of the water is cleaned again at drinking water treatment plants and piped to consumers. “We recognize it is a growing concern and we’re taking it very seriously,” said Benjamin H. Grumbles, assistant administrator for water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The full study was published by the AP on the USToday’s website.

Having these over-the-counter  drugs in drinking water, worry many doctors and scientists around the United States of long-term consequences to human health.

Source – UStoday