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Bacteria in H2o
One of the most commonly
tested indicators of h2o quality is coliform bacteria.
Coliform bacteria is a large group of bacteria found in the
digestive tracts of warm blooded animals. Some coliform
bacteria are harmless, and others, such as some strains of
E. coli, cause disease. Public suppliers use chlorine
as a disinfectant to kill the bacteria before the source leaves the treatment plant. The presence of E. coli in well
waters indicates that sewage may be infiltrating the supply. Having coliform or E. coli in your water may
indicate that other serious disease-causing bacteria could
be present also.
Health effect of h2o contaminated by bacteria:
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Skin infections
- Infections of cuts and
scratches
- Sickness or death in
elderly, children and those with suppressed immune
systems
Nitrates and Nitrites
Nitrates and nitrites are
commonly used in agricultural fertilizers. Since they are
highly water soluble and do not evaporate, they have a great
potential to enter and pollute the source supply.
Health effect of contamination by agricultural pollutants:
- Decrease in the blood's
ability to carry oxygen.
- Possible brain damage.
- Blue baby syndrome
- Death
For those who keep aquariums,
the presence of nitrates and nitrites can affect the overall
health of the aquarium, and cause the overgrowth of
unsightly algae. These and other reasons stated below are
only the tip of the iceberg for having water testing done
for your family's health.
Lead
Lead contaminates drinking
sources primarily through corrosion of plumbing materials. As
surprising as it sounds, this problem is more pervasive in
newer homes than in older homes. As time passes, mineral
deposits form a coating on the inside of the plumbing
system. This coating acts to prevent the water from coming
in contact with the leaded components, such as solder and
brass fittings.
In new homes, this coating
has not built up yet, therefore the h2o comes in contact
with the interior of the piping, and any lead that is
present. Other conditions increase the amount of lead that
can leach. Factors such as pH (acidic water leaches more
lead than neutral), and temperature (hot h2o leaches
more lead than cold) also can affect the level of lead.
According to recent reports,
over 12 major US cities detected elevated levels of lead in
the public supply.
Low levels of lead exposure
can affect your child by causing:
- Birth defects
- Hyperactivity
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Lower IQ
- Behavioral problems
- Learning disabilities
High levels of lead exposure
can affect your child by causing:
- Brain damage
- Kidney failure
- Coma
- Death
Radon
Radon is a
naturally-occurring gas that is the result of radioactive
decay of uranium deposits in the soil. It can seep through
soil and enter the supply as it moves through the ground.
Radon is not usually a problem in public systems because of
the action of aeration during treatment. But, if you
own your own well, radon could certainly be a problem.
When you shower, wash
clothes, or even run the faucet, the radon becomes airborne, becoming radon gas that you breathe.
Exposure to radon gas has been shown to increase the
incidence of cancer, and has been linked to about 13,000
deaths a year in the US alone. There is some evidence that
radon in water could contribute to stomach cancers.
These are only some of the
reasons to have water testing done and to use PUR filters.
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