Thanks to the USA’s Safe Drinking Water Act, most households have access to safe drinking water from the tap. Of course, many people would argue that bottled water is far more delicious than tap water, but it’s much cheaper to simply pay the water bill at the end of the month than stock up on enough bottled water for the whole family.
Tap water is made safe for consumption by disinfecting it with chlorine and/or chloramines, both of which effectively eliminate the likes of bacteria, viruses, and other infectious pathogens. However, it’s now coming to light that chlorinated water might not be as safe as you think.
Water disinfected with chlorine or chloramines has been increasingly linked to various cancers and other deadly diseases. While those chemicals may eliminate most potential immediate dangers from water, it seems the long-term consequences of consuming chlorinated water might not be worth the risk.
Fortunately, there a wide variety of products that you can use to eliminate chlorine and chloramine from tap water, and they can really help moms feel confident that the water their children drink is both safe for consumption and extra delicious.
The Dangers of Ingesting Chlorine and Chloramine
It’s only relatively recently that the link between these chemicals and cancer has become highly apparent. However, various studies have shown that those who consume chlorinated water face a much higher risk of developing bladder cancer especially.
When chlorine is added to water, it reacts with organic matter and produces trihalomethanes (THMs). Unfortunately, those THMs can attack and damage important cells in your body and are especially hazardous for your bladder and rectum where water spends a large amount of time. Over time, those damaged cells can become cancerous, and that’s the reason why those who consume chlorinated water face an increased risk of developing bladder and rectal cancer.
Chloramines, which are increasingly being used as a disinfectant because they remain in water longer than chlorine, can react with methadone waste to produce nitrosodimethylamine, commonly known as NDMA. Methadone is a substance largely found in wastewater, and though it’s not a pretty thought, traces of it can make its way into the water that flows from your taps. You’re at an increased risk of consuming wastewater if you live downstream from a wastewater management facility.
According to many researchers, NDMA is a powerful carcinogenic and can lead to colon and stomach cancer if ingested. As it turns out, that ‘beach-like’ odor resonating from your tap water is the least of your worries.
How Do Moms Make Water Safe for their Children?
As the risks associated with ingesting chlorine and chloramine become clearer, many moms are looking for ways to prevent their children from consuming tap water. However, buying enough bottled water to sustain a whole family can become rather expensive. Luckily, it’s now easier than ever to eliminate these dangerous chemicals from your drinking water. Here are few of the most popular ways.
- Carbon Filters – Catalytic carbon removes chlorine as well as chloramine from drinking water, and the filters are one of the most popular products on the market because they can be fitted to your tap’s faucet or installed under the counter. Just remember that you’ll need to change the filter regularly.
- Reverse Osmosis – Reverse osmosis systems are gaining popularity because they’re relatively hard-wearing and can be fitted to either one sink or the home’s main water pipe. Similar to carbon filters, they’ll need replacing from time to time.
- Chemical Dechlorinating Products – These are mixed with water to break down the bonds of chlorine and chloramine, though the reaction can result in dangerous ammonia. Look for a product that explicitly says it eliminates ammonia in addition to the other chemicals.
The filtration methods above have been proven effective in countless studies, and they’ll make your drinking water extra delicious as well as harmless for your children.
Conclusion
Needless to say, all moms want their children to grow up happy and healthy, but ingesting chlorine and chloramine from a young age could result in the development of deadly cancers later in life. You’re probably already doing everything you can to make sure your child stays active and maintains a balanced diet. But if you really want to know that the water your child consumes isn’t dangerous, you won’t regret utilising one of the effective filtration methods detailed above.
