Do we really need a home water filter? Can't we just assume the water that flows from our kitchen and bathroom tap is sufficiently treated for contaminants by our municipal water facility? In order to answer these questions, we need to obtain a little more background information.
Next to air, water is the most important element for our survival.
Water is an integral part of our life and we use it for many household tasks throughout the day, such as: drinking and brushing our teeth, steaming fish and vegetables, washing salad greens, face and hand washing, showering and bathing, feeding the pets and watering our plants.
Most of us take it for granted that our tap water is safe to drink and use for common household tasks. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), however, estimates that 45,000,000 people drink tap water that is polluted with chemicals, lead, germs, parasites and other impurities.
A large majority of the major U.S. cities still employ the same basic water treatment technologies that have been used since before World War I. In cities such as Atlanta, Boston and Washington, D.C. consumers are relying on pipes that are, on average, over a century old. Many people don't realize that our municipal water treatment plants are not designed to remove synthetic chemicals and as a result we find traces of health threatening contaminants in most of our public water supplies.
Situations arise when our tap water is polluted with more than the usual amount of contaminants. Municipal treatment plants have breakdowns that take time to repair. Lead leaches into our drinking water from old pipes and private wells. Smaller water-supply sources can become contaminated from agricultural and other environmental pollutants.
It is difficult to be sure of the exact amount of toxins in our water supply. The EPA has estimated that, in our modern society, we use in excess of 75,000 toxic chemicals and more than 1000 new chemicals are developed each year. The Ralph Nader Research Group? after reviewing thousands of pages of EPA documents acquired through the Freedom of Information Act? concluded that to date more than 2100 toxic chemicals have already been detected in U.S. water supplies.
Our planet earth reuses the same water over and over again, which means there is no "new water". Every single chemical used in our society, eventually winds up in our water supplies. As the use of synthetic organic chemicals increases, so does the toxicity of our water. The earth's natural filtration process is not effective at removing these toxic synthetic organic chemicals.
The human body is made up of over 70% water. The proper function of each organ system, as well as every healing process that happens inside our body, takes place with water. Optimal functioning is only possible when water, our body's transport medium is clean. Wastes form during the body's metabolism and if these wastes are allowed to accumulate through insufficient water intake, fatigue and even illness results.
If we drink water that contains chlorine or other organic and inorganic chemicals, we force our liver and kidneys to act as a filter for these contaminants. The liver purifies and detoxifies the blood of waste products and toxins. In addition to regulating the body's water balance and maintaining optimal pH, the kidney also removes metabolic waste products from the bloodstream.
By providing the liver and kidneys with water, a universal solvent and transport medium, they are assisted in their role as a natural body filter. Bombarding these organs with water that contains traces of additional toxins only hinders the body detoxification process and delays waste removal.
Water may not cure every ailment, but it is a primary ingredient that allows our body to dilute and eliminate toxins that have accumulated over time.
What Can We Do To Provide Healthy Water For Our Family?
The simplest, most effective and also the most economical way to treat municipal tap water is a home water filter. Multi-media water filters that combine activated carbon with iron exchange media such as KDF are an excellent choice.
Carbon and KDF work together to remove or reduce traces of contaminants such as chlorine, lead, Cryptosporidium and Giardia cysts, synthetic chemicals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), MTBE, pesticides (lindane, atrazine), chemicals linked to cancer (benzene, TTHMs, toxaphene) and hundreds of other chemical contaminants that may be present causing bad taste and odors in your drinking water.
The result is healthy, great-tasting water that still contains natural trace minerals that are beneficial to optimal wellbeing and health.
? Copyright 2005 Andie Klein
Article courtesy of home-water-filter-guide.com, where you can get the answers you need about comparing home water filter systems and filtration methods, drinking water contamination, the health benefits of drinking water and more.
Related articles from Home-Water-Filter-Guide:
home-water-filter
-guide.com
Understanding how traces of contaminants in your drinking water can affect your health.
home-water-filter-guide.com
Compare the pros and cons of home water filtration systems.
Water is the single most important element for human existence,... Read More
The word cholesterol has become synonymous with poor health. Indeed,... Read More
Increasing the fiber in your diet has been shown to:... Read More
I know you've heard this many times - "Drink more... Read More
There are numerous diets out there that guarantee that they... Read More
The research in support of dietary omega-3 fatty acids (such... Read More
Healthy eating is important for everyone, from babies to the... Read More
Water is the most abundant substance in the human body.... Read More
Many low carb dieters fall victim to "carb creep," which... Read More
Information on potassiumWhen you read about potassium and senate document... Read More
The acai (ah-sigh-ee) berry has been around for thousands of... Read More
1880s - Characterization of monosaccharides by Emil Fischer.1952 - Fresh,... Read More
In order to eat fewer calories than you need, you... Read More
The old clich? that you are what you eat is... Read More
Finally, dieters and healthy eaters everywhere have reason to rejoice,... Read More
Food addiction isn't a problem. Pretending like you can't live... Read More
It is believed that cane sugar was discovered before the... Read More
Almost every woman suffers with premenstrual syndrome at one time... Read More
Did you know that the food you eat when you... Read More
Studies on whey demonstrate it's an even better protein supplement... Read More
America's major dietary deficiency - EFA a panacea for good... Read More
Because of consumer demand, the food industry focus is on... Read More
Salt is vital for our health. Right now, you have... Read More
So what's all the shake up about anyway?. To put... Read More
Despite the fact that accurate nutrition information can be accessed... Read More
kitchen deep cleaning Lake Forest ..In a new study published by the American Heart Association,... Read More
Most recipes end with instructions to "serve immediately." You could... Read More
Your fiber intake is a critical factor in weight loss... Read More
When Helen Boardman was still a girlish 99, she fell... Read More
I confess: I'm completely addicted to Pringles. My determination weakens... Read More
We know we need to eat a minimum of 5... Read More
Did you know the average American gains 5-7 pounds every... Read More
Do you know the risks to daily intakes of Starbucks... Read More
Students might start thinking a little differently, once they learn... Read More
It seems as if the health of America is failing.... Read More
Fad diets have been around for more than 50 years... Read More
In parts 1-6 of this series of articles titled "Take... Read More
Spring in New York City is a really magical time.... Read More
Unfortunately, it has been proved beyond doubt that a large... Read More
Manganese is a metallic mineral that was discovered by a... Read More
Bread is one of the oldest known recipes to man.... Read More
Dr. Barry Sears revolutionized nutritional thinking around the world with... Read More
Please feel free to comment, so that the article may... Read More
You must add some fresh cherries, which are now in... Read More
Acid reflux disease, or GERD, is a common compliant of... Read More
On average 30% of foods in our daily diet are... Read More
Here is a continuation of the light and darkness metaphor:... Read More
The Human Body is in a constant flux with the... Read More
Nuts are readily available and provide a highly nutritious food.... Read More
During the past thirty years there has been a steadily... Read More
Nutrition |