“Water, water everywhere, so let’s all have a drink!” This is a well-known misquote by Homer J. Simpson.
But while we’re all encouraged to drink more water, it might be more fitting to listen to the original quote, which warns us not to… At least not without knowing what we’re actually drinking.
According to the CDC, tap water in the United States is some of the safest water in the world to drink, but that doesn’t mean that it’s completely pure. We’ll look at the dangers of contaminated water and what contaminants in water you can expect.
Keep reading as we dive in.
1. Bacteria and Microorganisms
Bacteria gets a bad rap because we associate it with infections and sickness. The reality is that bacteria are everywhere, and they can be helpful and healthy.
There are, however, some bacterial contaminants in water that aren’t so good. The most well-known of which is probably E-Coli, a nasty bacteria that can cause illness and death.
2. Arsenic
Arsenic is a natural substance and is a component of the earth’s crust. It can be found on land, in the air, and in water. While there is unlikely to be enough arsenic in drinking water to be fatal, small amounts can be harmful to humans over a long period.
Discoloration of the skin and kidney and liver damage can all be attributed to the ingestion of arsenic.
3. Fluoride and Chlorine
You’ll probably have heard of fluoride from toothpaste and chlorine from swimming pools. Both of these elements have their benefits: fluoride helps in the fight against tooth decay, and chlorine can eliminate bacteria.
It’s not all good news, though. Too much fluoride can actually be harmful to your teeth, and chlorine in water can lead to serious health complications such as blurred vision and lung problems.
A water filter chlorine fluoride will help keep the levels reasonable.
4. Aluminum
Aluminum is one of the most common elements on earth, and so it is also one of the most commonly found elements in tap water. While dangerous levels of it are rare, low exposure over a long period can result in effects on health.
There is some evidence that communities with increased levels of aluminum in their water supply may be at a higher risk of dementia and Alzheimers.
5. Nitrates
Nitrates are probably the most commonly found contaminants in water. They are found in fertilizers and manures, and plumbing systems, so it’s likely that there are nitrates in most sources of tap water.
Exposure to increased levels of nitrates is dangerous, especially for infants. IT can inhibit a baby’s ability to move oxygen around the body, which is a potentially fatal condition.
The Dangers of Contaminated Water
Contaminated water is almost unavoidable, but there are measures you can take to protect yourself and your family from any adverse effects. A water filter is a great way to do this, and they are relatively inexpensive.
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