Pharmaceuticals in water supply systems
Reports of pharmaceuticals in water supply samples were carried by every major new organization earlier this month. Along with spin-offs of that covered how they got there and what the consequences might be to public health.
The one thing that none of the articles mentioned was what individuals could do to remove the threat. They talked about how sewage treatment facilities could remove nearly all of the traces by using reverse osmosis. They mentioned it was an expensive step that few facilities choose to use.
They noted that improvements at drinking water treatment facilities could reduce the level of pharmaceuticals in water supply systems. They even talked to congressmen and the EPA about what should be done.
Everyone showed concern, except some callous representatives from major providers. They simply said the public didn’t need to know, because they wouldn’t understand and might overreact to the news.
Otherwise, everyone agreed that something should be done. The congressmen said they would hold a hearing concerning the threat. The EPA said they knew that it was a major concern.
No one bothered to explain that people could protect their families, if they chose, too. We have the technology and in the home, it is relatively cheap to use. It simply requires a sub-micron particle filter, multi-media blocks, and an activated carbon filter.
Some of us have known about pharmaceuticals in water supply systems for ages. One of the most common is estradiol, used in hormonal birth control. Only some of the hormone is absorbed. The rest is removed along with other waste products and flushed down the drain.
From there, it goes to a water treatment facility. They do the minimum filtration required by law and then dump the water into a river. Researchers have found numerous fish downstream from these facilities with mutations.
Some had sex organs of both genders. Some had tiny heads. Others were unable to reproduce. It was learned that all of these mutations were simply caused by estradiol. What can the hormones and other pharmaceuticals found in water supply samples do to humans?
As usual, the greatest risk is to young children that are still developing. Scientists have shown that some combinations slow down the growth of human cells. Other combinations increase the growth of cancerous cells.
It is interesting to note that some of the common contaminants present in tap water cause cancer. So, now, if a person doesn’t have a home filtration device, not only does he have an increases risk of cancer, but if he has a tumor, it will grow faster.
None of this is required. We can remove the chlorine that tastes bad, the chemicals that cause cancer, drugs that threaten our health, the toxic metal lead and all of the other contaminants commonly found in tap-water. We just need to buy an inexpensive device and install on the faucets of our home.
That’s what I’m trying to let people know the truth. It’s something that reporters never seem to say. They attract you with frightening headlines about pharmaceuticals in the water supply, then tell you there’s not much of a “threat” and then leave you with no solution. Now, you know what to do to be safe.