Information Concerning Your Health
In October of 1999 the Federal EPA enacted the Right To Know Amendment to the Federal Safe Drinking
Water Act, requiring all public water systems to supply easy to read information on contaminants that have
been detected in municipal water supplies. These Annual Water Quality Reports are, by law, to be made
available to all consumers. To find out about your city's water click on the link below and find your city.
Once you have logged on to your city's site you will need to locate the "Water Quality Section" or the
"Annual Water Quality Report." http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo/index.html
Remember that only 86 of the 75,000 toxic chemicals used in our society are required to be tested for, so
these reports give a very narrow picture of the real problem. Most cities will be quick to state that their
water meets all federal guide lines, which in no way means it is safe or healthy. An in-depth study by the
Environmental Defense Fund concluded that "Although concentrations of carcinogens in drinking water
are low, it is precisely such low levels that are believed to be responsible for the majority of human
cancers in the U.S. Experts in carcinogens estimate that from 60% to 90% of all cancers may be formed by
chemical carcinogens in the environment and that there is no safe threshold for exposure to a carcinogen.
Chlorine, Cancer and Heart Disease
"We are quite convinced, based on this study, that there is an association between cancer and chlorinated
water"
Medical College Of Wisconsin research team
The addition of chlorine to our drinking water began in the late 1800s and by 1904 was the standard in
water treatment, and for the most part remains so today. We don't use chlorine because it's the safest or
even the most effective means of disinfection, we use it because it is the cheapest. In spite of all our
technological advances, we essentially still pour bleach in our water before we drink it. The long term
effects of chlorinated drinking water have just recently being recognized. According to the U.S. Council Of
Environmental Quality, "Cancer risk among people drinking chlorinated water is 93% higher than among
those whose water does not contain chlorine."
Dr. Joseph Price wrote a highly controversial book in the late sixties titled "Coronaries/ Cholesterol/
Chlorine" and concluded that " nothing can negate the incontrovertible fact, the basic cause of
atherosclerosis and resulting entities such as heart attacks and stroke, is chlorine." Dr. Price later headed
up a study using chickens as test subjects, where two groups of several hundred birds were observed
throughout their span to maturity. One group was given water with chlorine and the other without. The
group raised with chlorine, when autopsied, showed some level of heart or circulatory disease in every
specimen, the group without had no incidence of disease. The group with chlorine under winter
conditions, showed outward signs of poor circulation, shivering, drooped feathers and a reduced level of
activity. The group without chlorine grew faster, larger and displayed vigorous health. This study was well
received in the poultry industry and is still used as a reference today. As a result, most large poultry
producers use dechlorinated water. "It would be a common sense conclusion that if regular chlorinated
tap water is not good enough for the chickens, then it probably is not good enough for us humans!"
There is a lot of well founded concern about chlorine. When chlorine is added to our water, it combines
with other natural compounds to form Trihalomethanes (chlorination byproducts), or THMs. These chlorine
byproducts trigger the production of free radicals in the body, causing cell damage, and are highly
carcinogenic."Although concentrations of these carcinogens (THMs) are low, it is precisely these low
levels that cancer scientists believe are responsible for the majority of human cancers in the United
States." The Environmental Defense Fund.
Simply stated chlorine is a pesticide, as defined by the U.S. EPA, who's sole purpose is to kill living
organisms. When we consume water containing chlorine, it kills some part of us, destroying cells and
tissue inside our body. Dr. Robert Carlson, a highly respected University of Minnesota researcher who's
work is sponsored by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, sums it up by claiming , "the chlorine
problem is similar to that of air pollution", and adds that "chlorine is the greatest crippler and killer of
modern times!"
Breast cancer, which now effects one in every eight women in North America, has recently been linked to
the accumulation of chlorine compounds in the breast tissue. A study carried out in Hartford Connecticut,
the first of it's kind in North America, found that, "women with breast cancer have 50% to 60% higher levels
of organochlorines (chlorination byproducts) in their breast tissue than women without breast cancer."
One of the most shocking components to all of these studies is that up to two-thirds of our harmful
exposure to chlorine is due to inhalation of steam and skin absorption while showering. A warm shower
opens up the pores of the skin and allows for accelerated absorption of chlorine and other chemicals in
water. The steam we inhale while showering can contain up to 50 times the level of chemicals than tap
water due to the fact that chlorine and most other contaminants vaporize much faster and at a lower
temperature than water. Inhalation is a much more harmful means of exposure since the chlorine gas
(chloroform) we inhale goes directly into our blood stream. When we drink contaminated water the toxins
are partially filtered out by our kidneys and digestive system. Chlorine vapors are known to be a strong
irritant to the sensitive tissue and bronchial passages inside our lungs, it was used as a chemical weapon
in World War II. The inhalation of chlorine is a suspected cause of asthma and bronchitis, especially in
children… which has increased 300% in the last two decades. "Showering is suspected as the primary
cause of elevated levels of chloroform in nearly every home because of chlorine in the water." Dr Lance
Wallace, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Chlorine in shower water also has a very negative cosmetic effect, robbing our skin and hair of moisture
and elasticity, resulting in a less vibrant and youthful appearance. Anyone who has ever swam in a
chlorinated pool can relate to the harsh effects that chlorine has on the skin and hair. What's surprising is
that we commonly find higher levels of chlorine in our tap water than is recommended safe for swimming
pools.
Aside from all the health risks related to chlorine in our water, it is the primary cause of bad taste and odor
in drinking water. The objectionable taste causes many people to turn to other less healthful beverages
like soft drinks, tea or other sweetened drinks. A decreased intake of water, for any reason, can only result
in a lower degree of health.
The good news is that chlorine is one of the easiest substances to remove from our water. For that reason
it logically should serve it's purpose of keeping our water free from harmful bacteria and water borne
diseases right up to the time of consumption, where it should then be removed by quality home filtration.
No one will argue that chlorine serves an important purpose and that the hazards of doing away with
chlorine are greater than or equal to the related health risks. The simple truth is that chlorine is likely here
to stay. The idea that we could do away with chlorine any time in the near future is just not realistic. It is
also clear that chlorine represents a very real and serious threat to our health, and should be removed in
our homes at the point of use, both from the water we drink and the water we shower in.
Information for Eczema Sufferers
There is not doubt that many eczema sufferers find their skin improves once they have a water softener
fitted.
Installing a water softener not only means your skin will benefit but you will need to use less detergents
and soaps. A water softener is also a highly practical way of keeping your plumbing free from lime scale
build ups that can be so damaging. If your bathroom and kitchen taps no longer look like they once did in
the showroom it could be because of lime scale build ups.
Hard water, rather than soft water, is more likely to cause problems for people with eczema. Softeners
remove the tiny abrasive particles of rock found in hard water and this, therefore, can help to reduce the
discomfort experienced by eczema sufferers.
In October of 1999 the Federal EPA enacted the Right To Know Amendment to the Federal Safe Drinking
Water Act, requiring all public water systems to supply easy to read information on contaminants that have
been detected in municipal water supplies. These Annual Water Quality Reports are, by law, to be made
available to all consumers. To find out about your city's water click on the link below and find your city.
Once you have logged on to your city's site you will need to locate the "Water Quality Section" or the
"Annual Water Quality Report." http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo/index.html
Remember that only 86 of the 75,000 toxic chemicals used in our society are required to be tested for, so
these reports give a very narrow picture of the real problem. Most cities will be quick to state that their
water meets all federal guide lines, which in no way means it is safe or healthy. An in-depth study by the
Environmental Defense Fund concluded that "Although concentrations of carcinogens in drinking water
are low, it is precisely such low levels that are believed to be responsible for the majority of human
cancers in the U.S. Experts in carcinogens estimate that from 60% to 90% of all cancers may be formed by
chemical carcinogens in the environment and that there is no safe threshold for exposure to a carcinogen.
Chlorine, Cancer and Heart Disease
"We are quite convinced, based on this study, that there is an association between cancer and chlorinated
water"
Medical College Of Wisconsin research team
The addition of chlorine to our drinking water began in the late 1800s and by 1904 was the standard in
water treatment, and for the most part remains so today. We don't use chlorine because it's the safest or
even the most effective means of disinfection, we use it because it is the cheapest. In spite of all our
technological advances, we essentially still pour bleach in our water before we drink it. The long term
effects of chlorinated drinking water have just recently being recognized. According to the U.S. Council Of
Environmental Quality, "Cancer risk among people drinking chlorinated water is 93% higher than among
those whose water does not contain chlorine."
Dr. Joseph Price wrote a highly controversial book in the late sixties titled "Coronaries/ Cholesterol/
Chlorine" and concluded that " nothing can negate the incontrovertible fact, the basic cause of
atherosclerosis and resulting entities such as heart attacks and stroke, is chlorine." Dr. Price later headed
up a study using chickens as test subjects, where two groups of several hundred birds were observed
throughout their span to maturity. One group was given water with chlorine and the other without. The
group raised with chlorine, when autopsied, showed some level of heart or circulatory disease in every
specimen, the group without had no incidence of disease. The group with chlorine under winter
conditions, showed outward signs of poor circulation, shivering, drooped feathers and a reduced level of
activity. The group without chlorine grew faster, larger and displayed vigorous health. This study was well
received in the poultry industry and is still used as a reference today. As a result, most large poultry
producers use dechlorinated water. "It would be a common sense conclusion that if regular chlorinated
tap water is not good enough for the chickens, then it probably is not good enough for us humans!"
There is a lot of well founded concern about chlorine. When chlorine is added to our water, it combines
with other natural compounds to form Trihalomethanes (chlorination byproducts), or THMs. These chlorine
byproducts trigger the production of free radicals in the body, causing cell damage, and are highly
carcinogenic."Although concentrations of these carcinogens (THMs) are low, it is precisely these low
levels that cancer scientists believe are responsible for the majority of human cancers in the United
States." The Environmental Defense Fund.
Simply stated chlorine is a pesticide, as defined by the U.S. EPA, who's sole purpose is to kill living
organisms. When we consume water containing chlorine, it kills some part of us, destroying cells and
tissue inside our body. Dr. Robert Carlson, a highly respected University of Minnesota researcher who's
work is sponsored by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, sums it up by claiming , "the chlorine
problem is similar to that of air pollution", and adds that "chlorine is the greatest crippler and killer of
modern times!"
Breast cancer, which now effects one in every eight women in North America, has recently been linked to
the accumulation of chlorine compounds in the breast tissue. A study carried out in Hartford Connecticut,
the first of it's kind in North America, found that, "women with breast cancer have 50% to 60% higher levels
of organochlorines (chlorination byproducts) in their breast tissue than women without breast cancer."
One of the most shocking components to all of these studies is that up to two-thirds of our harmful
exposure to chlorine is due to inhalation of steam and skin absorption while showering. A warm shower
opens up the pores of the skin and allows for accelerated absorption of chlorine and other chemicals in
water. The steam we inhale while showering can contain up to 50 times the level of chemicals than tap
water due to the fact that chlorine and most other contaminants vaporize much faster and at a lower
temperature than water. Inhalation is a much more harmful means of exposure since the chlorine gas
(chloroform) we inhale goes directly into our blood stream. When we drink contaminated water the toxins
are partially filtered out by our kidneys and digestive system. Chlorine vapors are known to be a strong
irritant to the sensitive tissue and bronchial passages inside our lungs, it was used as a chemical weapon
in World War II. The inhalation of chlorine is a suspected cause of asthma and bronchitis, especially in
children… which has increased 300% in the last two decades. "Showering is suspected as the primary
cause of elevated levels of chloroform in nearly every home because of chlorine in the water." Dr Lance
Wallace, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Chlorine in shower water also has a very negative cosmetic effect, robbing our skin and hair of moisture
and elasticity, resulting in a less vibrant and youthful appearance. Anyone who has ever swam in a
chlorinated pool can relate to the harsh effects that chlorine has on the skin and hair. What's surprising is
that we commonly find higher levels of chlorine in our tap water than is recommended safe for swimming
pools.
Aside from all the health risks related to chlorine in our water, it is the primary cause of bad taste and odor
in drinking water. The objectionable taste causes many people to turn to other less healthful beverages
like soft drinks, tea or other sweetened drinks. A decreased intake of water, for any reason, can only result
in a lower degree of health.
The good news is that chlorine is one of the easiest substances to remove from our water. For that reason
it logically should serve it's purpose of keeping our water free from harmful bacteria and water borne
diseases right up to the time of consumption, where it should then be removed by quality home filtration.
No one will argue that chlorine serves an important purpose and that the hazards of doing away with
chlorine are greater than or equal to the related health risks. The simple truth is that chlorine is likely here
to stay. The idea that we could do away with chlorine any time in the near future is just not realistic. It is
also clear that chlorine represents a very real and serious threat to our health, and should be removed in
our homes at the point of use, both from the water we drink and the water we shower in.
Information for Eczema Sufferers
There is not doubt that many eczema sufferers find their skin improves once they have a water softener
fitted.
Installing a water softener not only means your skin will benefit but you will need to use less detergents
and soaps. A water softener is also a highly practical way of keeping your plumbing free from lime scale
build ups that can be so damaging. If your bathroom and kitchen taps no longer look like they once did in
the showroom it could be because of lime scale build ups.
Hard water, rather than soft water, is more likely to cause problems for people with eczema. Softeners
remove the tiny abrasive particles of rock found in hard water and this, therefore, can help to reduce the
discomfort experienced by eczema sufferers.
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| The Next Generation Of IONICS |
