Why You Need the Berkey – The Many Contaminants Present in Drinking Water

Drinking water is supposed to be safe for humans. Sadly, this is not always the case. You may take in various contaminants when you drink water or cook with it. How can you prevent this from happening? 

Many people today purchase The Berkey water filtration systems. They know doing so will protect them from a wide range of contaminants. What can The Berkey remove, and why are these substances harmful to humans? 

E. Coli

Healthy humans have E. coli in their small intestines. Most of the time this bacterium is harmless. However, certain strains can make a person very ill. They struggle with bloody diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, and vomiting. Undercooked ground beef and raw vegetables are two common sources of this harmful E. coli, but it may also be present in drinking water. 

Most people find they recover quickly if they are exposed to harmful E. coli bacteria. Young children and the elderly are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill. The bacteria damage their kidneys and they develop a life-threatening form of kidney failure. Rest and fluids are the only way to treat this condition. It’s always best to use a portable water filtration system if there is any doubt whether E. coli is present in the water supply. 

Chlorine

Many municipalities today use chlorine to disinfect the water supply. When carefully monitored, chlorine is safe when used for this purpose. However, if the levels are off or a person gets their drinking water from another source, the chlorine may reach levels dangerous to humans. The health effects of excessive chlorine may not be seen immediately, so a person can think they are safe when they aren’t. 

Chlorine in water can exacerbate a person’s asthma symptoms, even if they don’t drink the water. Showering in water that contains a high level of chlorine may bring about an asthma attack because the chlorine is absorbed through the skin. This chlorine may also contribute to the development of food allergies, although researchers are continuing to conduct studies to determine whether this is the case. 

One study done in Taiwan found that pregnant women exposed to trihalomethanes in chlorinated water were more likely to have children with a cleft palate, ventricular septal defect, or insufficient brain development. Chlorine in water might also increase a person’s risk of bladder or rectal cancer. 

Parasites

It is hard to test for and detect parasites in drinking water. People are often contaminated when there is damage to a sewage system or they come into contact with wastewater runoff. Some strains remain present in drinking water even after it has been treated. Common parasites today include giardia and cryptosporidium. Why do humans need to be concerned about these parasites? 

A person can become ill with giardiasis after drinking water that contains fecal material from humans or animals. They may then spread this illness to family members and others they come into close contact with. Medications are needed to treat the person with giardiasis and symptoms may persist even after a person tests negative following treatment. Dehydration remains a concern with this disease, particularly in pregnant women and infants. 

Cryptosporidium is another type of parasite that makes humans ill. Drinking water is one way humans contract cryptosporidiosis, and the parasite remains one of the leading causes of waterborne illness in America today. Many people recover without seeing a doctor, but that is not the case for all. Remaining hydrated is the biggest concern as this illness brings about bouts of diarrhea. Those who are ill must replace any fluids lost during these bouts. 

Fluoride 

Many health organizations, including the American Medical Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, support the fluoridation of drinking water in America. However, fluorosis is a concern for many parents today because 41 percent of adolescents have been diagnosed with this condition, which causes mottling of the teeth and brown splotches. 

While it is true research shows the topical application of fluoride helps prevent cavities, the amount of fluoride in the water supply means a person can be overexposed to this beneficial substance. Cases of acute fluoride poisoning were reported in a village in Alaska in 1992 and the victims may not be the only ones harmed by fluoride in the public water supply. Iodine-deficient adults are at higher risk of thyroid problems after consuming fluoridated water, and moms who drink fluoridated water during pregnancy are more likely to have children with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Fluoride is beneficial when applied topically by a dentist. However, a person can have too much of a good thing. Using a water filtration system designed to remove fluoride from water is something every person should consider doing. 

Heavy Metals

Heavy metals are often present in drinking water. These metals enter the water supply through various methods. They may leach into the water through the home’s plumbing and service lines. However, they often come from outside sources, such as petroleum refineries and municipal waste disposal. Natural mineral deposits entering the water supply are another concern.

Most people know of concerns regarding lead in the water supply, but many other heavy metals might be present, including arsenic, chromium, copper, and selenium. In addition, these metals may contaminate private wells. They enter the wells through groundwater movement or from surface water seepage and run-off. 

If a person takes in too many heavy metals, they are more at risk of certain diseases. Acute and chronic toxicity is a concern. Some people become anemic as a result of heavy metal overexposure, and cancer rates are higher in these individuals. The heavy metals damage the intestines, kidneys, and liver, and repeated exposure can lead to chronic kidney disease and more. 

Pharmaceuticals

Many people blame pharmaceutical manufacturers for the presence of drugs in the water supply. However, these pharmaceuticals also enter the water through human waste and people flushing drugs down the toilet. Is this a major problem humans need to be concerned about? 

Unintentional exposure to pharmaceuticals can put a person’s health at risk. Endocrine disruption and antibiotic resistance are two concerns of scientists studying this matter, and there are others. While this problem doesn’t reach the level of VOC contamination of the water supply, it is something humans should not overlook. Some water filtration systems remove these pharmaceuticals so the user won’t need to worry they are harming their health. 

VOCs

Chemicals that contain carbon and vaporize easily at normal air temperature are known as VOCs or volatile organic compounds. VOCs are found in many everyday products, including household cleaners and gasoline. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, VOCs are present in 20 percent of America’s water supplies today. 

The VOCs make their way into the water supplies in several ways. A gas or oil spill could lead to Benzene entering the water supply and tetrachloroethylene from dry cleaning procedures might also be present in this water. One problem with VOCs is each compound presents differently and must be treated differently. A person must know which VOC they are dealing with to address the health issues properly.

To avoid these health issues, people should try to remove the VOCs before drinking or using the water. Prevention is always the best course of action. Research water filtration systems to learn which ones are capable of removing VOCs.

Herbicides and Pesticides

When people apply pesticides and herbicides to plants and crops, these products might also enter groundwater or surface water systems. When they do, the herbicides and pesticides could make their way into the water supply. Several factors determine whether humans should be concerned about their presence, including the toxicity of the products, the level of contamination, and the level of exposure. 

The chemicals present in these products may harm the respiratory system. At times, a person will suffer from skin or eye irritation, and some pesticides might be classified as carcinogens. These products could also affect the endocrine or hormone systems. Any person who believes they may have been exposed to toxic levels of pesticides or herbicide should see their doctor and discuss testing for associated health issues. 

Rust

If the water in your home comes out of the taps either a yellow or brown color, there may be rust in the water supply. Iron pipes are prone to leeching rust into the water that travels through them. The iron present in the rust isn’t harmful to human health on its own. However, the iron may contain bacteria or trace impurities that are dangerous to humans in large quantities. Fortunately, a person cannot get too much iron from drinking water, regardless of how much is present in the supply. 

Other contaminants might also be found in the water supply, including petroleum products, silt, and sediment. You need clean drinking water to protect your health and keep you hydrated. Consider investing in a water filtration system to have confidence the water you are consuming won’t do more harm than good. As these systems are affordable, you may want to purchase more than one, so you always have clean water available.