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There are many, many water borne contaminants, viruses, bacteria that still make it through today's purportedly high-tech water source processing.

These include:

Chlorine

Used to kill life forms in the water, chlorine is a recognized carcinogen.

We are now entering into a period of increased water shortages. As reservoirs lower, water suppliers add more chlorine. This is because the number of micro-organisms in a reservoir do not decrease as water levels drop. They simply become more concentrated. Dosage will be lifted above recommended maximums due to the necessity of containing disease through micro-organism increases. During our last local drought, I could even smell chlorine gas from outside taps.

Chlorine in drinking water has been linked to increased incidence of bladder and rectal cancers by Harvard University and the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Chlorine is also linked to body protein damage. It causes dry skin and hair, and burns the eyes. If you suffer from asthma, sinus problems, allergies, skin rashes or emphysema chlorine in your water may well exacerbate your condition.

Chlorine kills bugs, but it also reacts with the organic matter in water, creating toxic new substances. One such substance, trihalomethane, is far more carcinogenic than chlorine itself.

The US EPA labels Mutagen X

Chlorine byproduct and seen as the 'single largest contributor' to the ability of municipal water to cause genetic mutations.

Chloramines

In excess of EPA's standard can cause stomach discomfort or anemia.

Chlorine Dioxide

Some infants and young children who drink water containing chlorine dioxide in excess of accepted standards may experience nervous system effects.  Similar effects may occur in fetuses of pregnant women who drink water containing chlorine dioxide in excess of the standard.  Some people may also experience anemia.

Fluoride

Most USA water supplies now add fluoride. USA's EPA has set an enforceable drinking water standard for fluoride of 4 mg/L (some people who drink water containing fluoride in excess of this level over many years could get bone disease, including pain and tenderness of the bones). EPA has also set a secondary fluoride standard of 2 mg/L to protect against dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis, in its moderate or severe forms, results in a brown staining and/or pitting of the permanent teeth. This problem occurs only in developing teeth, before they erupt from the gums. Children under nine should not drink water that has more than 2 mg/L of fluoride.

Microbes

Coliform bacteria are common in the environment and are generally not harmful. However, the presence of these bacteria in drinking water is usually a result of a problem with the treatment system or the pipes which distribute water, and indicates that the water may be contaminated with germs that can cause disease. Faecal Coliform and E-Coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms.

Turbidity

This has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

Micro-organisms

These include germs, amoeba, parasites, cysts and viruses. In my experience chlorine does not fully eliminate these organisms. During our recent local drought, even though chlorine levels were drastically increased, local health practitioners reported a rash of parasitical infection.

Filtration level

Is important for exclusion of parasites. Although nothing higher than one micron will exclude Cryptosporidium and Guardia, it requires a filtration of less than 0.1 micron to exclude viruses. Few people realize that flu viruses are carried on birds that migrate from Asia. These birds settle in our reservoirs, and outbreaks follow...

Cryptosporidium

This is a parasite that enters lakes and rivers through sewage and animal waste. It causes cryptosporidiosis, a mild gastrointestinal disease. However, the disease can be severe or fatal for people with severely weakened immune systems. EPA and CDC have prepared advice for those with severely compromised immune systems who are concerned about Cryptosporidium.

Guardia Lambdia

Inorganic Contaminants

These include Antimony, Asbestos, Barium, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Cyanide, Mercury, Nitrates, Nitrites, Selenium, Thallium.

Lead

Synthetic Organic Contaminants

Pesticides & herbicides:

1. 2,4-D
2. 2,4,5-TP (Silvex)
3. Acrylamide
4. Alachlor
5. Atrazine 
6. Benzoapyrene
7. Carbofuran
8. Chlordane
9. Dalapon
10. Di 2-ethylhexyl adipate
11. Di 2-ethylhexyl phthalate Dibromochloropropane
12. Dinoseb
13. Dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD)
14. Diquat
15. Endothall
16. Endrin
17. Epichlorohydrin
18. Ethylene dibromide
19. Glyphosate
20. Heptachlor
21. Heptachlor epoxide Hexachlorobenzene 
22. Hexachlorocyclopent
23. Lindane
24. Methoxychlor 
25. Oxamyl [Vydate]
26. PCBs [Polychlorinated biphenyls] 
27. Pentachlorophenol 
28. Picloram 
29. Simazine
30. Toxaphene  

Disinfection Byproducts

Disinfection byproducts form when disinfectants added to drinking water to kill germs react with naturally-occurring organic matter in water. These may include:

Trihalomethanes

Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of EPA standard over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

Haloacetic Acids

Some people who drink water containing haloacetic acids in excess of EPA standard over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

Bromate

Some people who drink water containing bromate in excess of EPA standard over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

Chlorite

Some infants and young children who drink water containing chlorite in excess of EPA's standard could experience nervous system effects.  Similar effects may occur in fetuses of pregnant women who drink water containing chlorite in excess of EPA's standard.  Some people may experience anemia.

Volatile Organic Compounds

May combine with other contaminants to form new toxic substances. These include:

1. Benzene
2. Carbon Tetrachloride
3. Chlorobenzene 
4. o-Dichlorobenzene
5. p-Dichlorobenzene 
6. 1,1-Dichloroethylene
7. cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene trans-1,2-Dicholoroethylene
8. Dichloromethane
9. 1,2-Dichloroethane
10. 1,2-Dichloropropane
11. Ethylbenzene
12. Styrene
13. Tetrachloroethylene 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
14. 1,1,1,-Trichloroethane 
15. 1,1,2-Trichloroethane
16. Trichloroethylene 
17. Toluene
18. Vinyl Chloride
19. Xylenes 

MTBE

Is a fuel additive, commonly used in the United States to reduce carbon monoxide and ozone levels caused by auto emissions. Due to its widespread use, reports of MTBE detections in the nation's ground and surface water supplies are increasing. The Office of Water and other EPA offices are working with a panel of leading experts to focus on issues posed by the continued use of MTBE and other oxygenates in gasoline. EPA is currently studying the implications of setting a drinking water standard for MTBE.

Copper

Very few water systems can remove lead. Lead may be a problem in older homes where lead solder was used to join copper pipes. If the water supply is acidic, it will eat away at the lead - and copper - overnight, so that your first water in the morning may hold high levels of both minerals. for this reason it is always a good practice to run the tap for a minute or so before using the filter first thing in the morning.

Hormones, Drugs and More

As our society gains in ways to create new substances, we are seeing more and more synthetic substances turn up in our water supply. These include xenoestrogens, hormones, pain killers, tranquillizers, and almost every other drug imaginable including Prozac and Viagra. This is happening now, and has increased alarmingly as we become more drug-dependent. Drugs enter through water recycling, garbage disposals interfering with water tables, and just thoughtless dumping by individuals.

Although some water filter sellers talk about it, they do not actually know whether these compounds will be filtered out. We can only make the best choice of system within our means.

"Purification" Chemicals

In order to 'purify' drinking water up to 50 different chemical compounds are used. These include; Lime (Calcium Hydroxide) Chlorine Compressed Liquefied Gas, Sodium Fluoride, Aluminum Sulphate Solution, Soda Ash Solution, Sodium Hydroxide (dissolvable solid), Aluminum Sulphate, Polymer 1190, Polymer 1115, Polymer 1160X, Sodium Hypochlorite solution, and Sodium Silicofluoride

Acid Water

Often found in rainwater tanks, especially tin and fiberglass/plastic. Also caused by using reverse osmosis units and distillers. Some areas in the USA also have acid water supplies even though the Water Safety Guidelines recommend neutral or above, mainly to prevent copper and lead from being eroded into the water supply. Drinking acid water increases acidity in the body, already at record levels due to modern lifestyle, diet and pollution.

"No level of exposure to a chemical carcinogen should be considered toxicologically insignificant to humans."

Surgeon General, National Cancer Institute.

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