GeneralCommon Chemicals Found In Your Drinking Water And How They Can Affect Your Health

Clean and safe drinking water is essential for your overall health and well-being. Without it, it would be impossible not only to hydrate yourself, but also to cook. In fact, access to clean water is considered by the United Nations as a basic human right, and a step towards improving a community’s quality of life. 

However, drinking water that’s 100% clean without any impurities or chemicals may be impossible to come across. Unknown to many, drinking water may have trace amounts of chemicals in it, some of which are from natural sources, while others are man-made or synthetic. 

In this article, you’ll learn the common chemicals added to your household water supply and the effective ways you can get rid of them in drinking water.

Bromine

One of the most common chemicals present in water is bromine. This is used to kill bacteria in boiling water, and is a primary disinfectant like chlorine. Bromine is acutely corrosive when inhaled or if it comes in contact with skin. 

Water filters at filtap.com.au can help get rid of bromine and other harmful water contaminants. The best filters will include both a granular activated carbon and a carbon filter made of ionic resins. The ionic carbon, which is made of sodium, bromide, and potassium, is an excellent method of filtering out the dangerous chemicals in your drinking water supply.

Chlorine

Chlorine is a common component of most municipal drinking water supplies. When chlorine evaporates, it leaves a residue of chlorine gas inside your home, which causes respiratory problems and allergic reactions in humans. Since chlorine is not a regulated chemical, there’s no way to tell whether or not it will be toxic to you or your family over time.  

To remove chlorine and other gases, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that new well water installations include an activated carbon filter. However, this also removes certain trace minerals, including calcium, which is healthy for humans. 

So another option is to invest in a multi-stage selective filtration system, which will include an ion-exchange phase that exchanges metallic ions (like calcium and magnesium) with electrolytes like potassium, sodium, and calcium. In addition, the system will balance mineral content by balancing pH levels. The end result is that your drinking water supply is enriched with vitamins and minerals, and contains no dangerous chemicals.

Lead

According to a report, there are tens of millions of people in the United States exposed to unsafe drinking water every year. One of the most common tap water contaminants include lead, which has been linked to cancer and permanent brain damage. 

Lead poisoning was a problem in Detroit, Washington, DC, and Pittsburgh. Arsenic and radium are also some of the chemicals present in water, which are also known as carcinogens.

Chloramine 

Chloramine is another substance that’s widely used to make water safe for bathing, cooking, and even drinking. It keeps bacteria from living in the water and makes sure it’s safe to use. It does this by removing nitrates and nitrites, two of the most harmful contaminants found in tap water.

Take a look at the following health effects of chloramine:

• Dry mouth
• Dry throat
• Skin irritation
• Dry eyes

Volatile Organic Compounds

Tap water contains a wide range of contaminants, including VOCs or ‘volatile organic compounds.’ VOCs are chemicals that are found in your water supply, but you may not be aware of their presence. One example is benzene.

VOCs vaporize into the air and are dissolved in water. When released into groundwater, they migrate to water supply wells. 

Check the following possible health effects of VOCs:

• Difficulty breathing
• Eye irritation
• Nose and throat irritation
• Nausea
• Central nervous system damage
• Cancer

BPA

Bisphenol or BPA is a chemical used in making plastics since the 1960s. However, BPA containers are linked to adverse effects, particularly in children. BPA may cause problems in the prostate glands and brains of children.

Here are the possible harmful effects of BPA:

• Heart disease
• Hypertension
• Arrhythmia or irregular heart rhythm
• Angina
• Atherosclerosis

Nowadays, more and more people are aware of the harmful effects of BPA. So, many homeowners take the necessary steps to ensure their water is free from it. The good news is that BPA water filter pitchers are now available to ensure BPA-free drinking water.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many chemicals present in drinking water, such as chlorine, chloramine, lead, and bromine, among others. While these chemicals are available in trace amounts, there are those that can be harmful to your health when taken in prolonged periods as they tend to accumulate in the body until they become toxic. Therefore, it’s crucial to take the essential steps to clean and purify water for your family’s health and safety.