Pages

July 22, 2015

The Raw Dangers of Drinking and Bathing with Chlorine Water

Chlorine has been added to most drinking water for well over 100 years now. The intention of adding chlorine to our water is to kill off harmful pathogens and purify our water. Chlorine is extremely efficient in killing off harmful bacteria, preventing cholera and salmonella outbreaks.
Unfortunately, chlorinating our water is not all good and dandy; there are some major negative side effects that come from consuming chlorinated water.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The positive effects of chlorine are pretty much limited to what was already briefly discussed above. On the opposite end of the spectrum, chlorine is not guaranteed to ensure that our drinking water is microorganism-free by the time it actually lands in our cups. Bacteria such as e-coli has been found in chlorinated water, thus it cannot be assumed that chlorine completely disinfects our water. To immediately address this concern, it is a good idea to install a tap filter or to use a filtered water bottle/pitcher for your drinking water supply.
There is an even uglier side to drinking chlorinated water that had not been documented until recently. Unfortunately, it seems that chlorine and its by-products may cause long-term health effects. The byproducts of chlorinated water are highly carcinogenic and increase the production of free radicals in the body. This byproduct, Trihalomethanes (THMs), has been linked to various types of cancer, nervous system disorders, hardening of the arteries, birth defects, and kidney and liver damage.
Some experts believe that those that consume chlorinated water increase their chances of being diagnosed with cancer by 93%. Experts on bladder cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer have documented the fact that those with these cancers have higher levels of THMs in their bodies. This is scary stuff!
What many people don’t realize is that chlorine is not just in their drinking water, but in the water they shower and bathe with as well. Over 50% of the side effects of chlorination are due to inhalation and skin absorption of the product when showering. By inhaling these chemicals when showering, these particles are going directly into our lungs and then our bloodstream, taking a ride through the whole body. Since most of us take hot/warm showers, our pores are more open and susceptible to these particles, practically inviting them into our bodies.

What Can We Do About It?

As mentioned, you should get a tap filter right away. If it’s easier or more affordable, you can also opt for a filtered water bottle/water pitcher in the meantime. Because so much exposure happens in the shower, you should also replace your shower head with a filtered option. This will protect your body from cancerous chemicals, and prevent the other side effects from chlorinated water, such as dry skin, premature aging, and dry hair.
It is important to be mindful of what is actually in the items that we eat and drink. Everyone should be educated on the prevalence of chlorine in our tap water, and its side effects. In this way, hopefully we can reduce the occurrences of many cancers and even illnesses such as e. coli. Don’t take any chances: protect your family and switch to filtered water for the tap and the shower as soon as possible.

No comments:

Post a Comment