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.
Many low carb dieters fall victim to "carb creep," which... Read More
A fictional overheard conversation at a Thelma's Fine Dining.Hi, I'm... Read More
Images of "protein powder" containers with accomplished bodybuilders on their... Read More
Since the 1930's the western diet has dramatically changed. This... Read More
In the brain, a typical protein can live for approximately... Read More
Summer is not too far away. It is almost time... Read More
When you actually sit down and think about it, bottled... Read More
Many of us, probably even you, want this thing called... Read More
Enzymes are the workers in our body that make everything... Read More
It is a question we must ask ourselves continually if... Read More
There are so many topics to discuss which affect our... Read More
The ingredients list found on the back or side panel... Read More
Cherries?A Supercharged FruitThe little red fruit that has been enjoyed... Read More
Fat burning compatible foods seem to be a popular topic... Read More
Whenever possible, we should try to get our antioxidants and... Read More
We know we need to eat a minimum of 5... Read More
It would be fair to assume that almost everyone on... Read More
How many times have you tried to diet/lose weight in... Read More
In a study review conducted by David A. Geier, B.A.... Read More
Weight loss plans are almost always trying to get you... Read More
This is usually the forgotten element of most mass programs.... Read More
It seems as if the health of America is failing.... Read More
I would like to raise a question: Is Rejuvenation possible... Read More
Being vegetarian is one of the greatest things in the... Read More
Here is a continuation of the light and darkness metaphor:... Read More
whole house cleaning Northbrook ..Protein must be a part of a healthy diet for... Read More
Instead of Butter: Use top quality, cold pressed, extra virgin... Read More
Here's something you probably don't know. The fruit and vegetables... Read More
I am going to share with you possibly the most... Read More
The quality of food we eat (or lack thereof) has... Read More
The cry of "I have no willpower!" often emerges from... Read More
Salt was used long before recorded history began. One of... Read More
If you're suffering from constipation, you are no doubt looking... Read More
In the brain, a typical protein can live for approximately... Read More
Nutrition has everything to do with health. This isn't news,... Read More
First of all you have to have a bucket. You... Read More
Summer is the time when we sweat highly and beating... Read More
LIFESTYLE WELLNESS = An Adventure of Health + Vitality!Not a... Read More
In large part, you're in control of your health, not... Read More
Some experts consider carbohydrate craving and addiction as something more... Read More
1. Enjoy what you eatWhether someone is following the Atkins... Read More
We come from a society where growing organic and just... Read More
During the past thirty years there has been a steadily... Read More
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin like A and E.... Read More
Making simple changes to your food diet can help remedy... Read More
One of the biggest mistakes many new bodybuilders make is... Read More
Do you allow pleasure from food? Are your senses throughly... Read More
Manganese is a metallic mineral that was discovered by a... Read More
How did we cure ourselves of many aches pains and... Read More
In today's world, there's a definite need to be proactive... Read More
Nutrition |