When turning on the faucets in your house for baths, showers, and cooking, do you give any thought as to what is flowing through your plumbing? Studies show that nearly 93 percent of American households are using and drinking contaminated water, which can have dangerous implications for our health.
Even the best water treatment plan can contain dangerous contaminants that can compromise water quality. As we use this water for cooking, bathing, washing, and drinking, we unknowingly ingest these harmful substances into our bodies. These nasty invaders can sap us of health and energy, particularly if saturation levels rise to a level that the body’s filtration system can’t handle.
Most Common Water Contaminants
After perusing this list of most common contaminants found in water, you may want to invest in quality water filtration services to protect your health. Here are some of the most common contaminants found in your faucets and homes:
1. Microbial Contaminants
Microbial contaminants include viruses, bacteria, and parasites that can cause illness if they are ingested. Organisms such as Giardia lamblia and E. coli cause digestive distress, diarrhea and vomiting if not dealt with.
2. Disinfectants
Disinfection byproducts are chemicals that form when disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. These chemicals react with naturally occurring substances in the water, producing harmful byproducts that negatively impact our health. Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids have been proven to cause reproductive issues and birth defects in both men and women.
3. Inorganic Contaminants
Minerals and other substances such as lead, arsenic, and mercury are naturally present in many water supplies. Short-term exposure to these chemicals can lead to abdominal pain, muscle cramps, and rashes, while long-term or high-potency exposure can lead to devastating diseases like cancer and heart disease.
4. Organic Contaminants
Organic contaminants are chemicals that come from agricultural and industrial runoff. Examples of organic contaminants include herbicides, pesticides, and chemical solvents. These substances cause immune system disorders, reproductive problems, and cancer in cases of significant exposure.
5. Radioactive Materials
Radioactive contaminants are substances that emit radiation; they can be found in water as a result of natural biochemical processes or human activity and industry. Substances such as radon and uranium increase the risk of the development of cancer and other significant health problems.
6. Nitrates and Nitrites
Nitrates and nitrites are both found in agricultural fertilizers, entering our water systems through runoff. They are particularly harmful to small children and infants, causing a condition called methemoglobinemia, which impairs the blood’s ability to effectively carry oxygen to various tissues in the body.
7. Fluoride
Fluoride is added to water supplies across the world to help “prevent” tooth decay, but large amounts of this dangerous excitotoxin can cause damage to both teeth and bones, as well as harden arteries that supply blood to the brain.
8. Chlorine
Chlorine is often added to water supplies as a disinfectant and cleanser, but higher than normal levels cause irritation of the skin, nose, and eyes, as well as increase the risk of various types of cancer.
9. Silt, Sand, and Clay
While not innately harmful to our health, the presence of silt, sand, and clay in drinking and household water supplies can cause problems with both the taste and effectiveness of water.
10. Hard Mineral Deposits
Hard mineral deposits such as calcium and magnesium contribute to “hard water”. This mineral-laden liquid may not have implications for poor health, but the use of hard water can contribute to layers of sediment on clothing, hair, and skin that may irritate and cause allergic reactions. More studies need to be done to determine where the presence of excessive mineral deposits has an effect on long-term health. Water filtration systems are effective at removing mineral deposits and conditioning water so that it can be used more effectively in cooking, drinking, and washing for your household.
Rainsoft A & B Marketing: Water Filtration Systems in Fort Myers
Rainsoft A & B Marketing provides superior water filtration systems in Fort Myers and beyond. Providing a wide variety of water filtration services such as installation, repair, system maintenance, water and air treatment systems, and water softener maintenance, we address all of your household water needs with solutions that keep you and your family safe and healthy. Contact Rainsoft today to see how we can improve your water quality and streamline the efficiency of water quality appliances in your home.
