Dangerous Contaminants Present in Tap Water- Gone are the days when we had access to clean drinking water even without a water purifier. Consuming contaminated water leads to a number of diseases. Installing the best RO system for home is an effective way to stay away from waterborne diseases Many people have the notion that the municipal water they get from the taps at home is clean and pure, but they are actually wrong. There are millions of contaminants present in tap water.
Most Dangerous Contaminants Present in Tap Water:
Here’s a look at some of the dangerous contaminants possibly present in tap water and how these contaminants could affect you.
1. Lead
Lead is one of the main contaminants of tap water. When consumed, it can cause heart and blood-related disorders and in some cases death. The presence of lead in tap water is mainly because of the corrosion of water pipes and the harmful substances that enter water due to water pollution. Children are more vulnerable to be affected by the lead content in water as it can cause developmental issues like stunt growth, learning disabilities, and it can also damage the brain. There are many good water purifiers on the market that can get remove lead and provide you with purified drinking water.
2. Chlorine
Chlorine is used as an agent to kill bacteria present in water. It combines with the water in your gut to form hydrochloric acid. Chlorine consumption can cause a sore throat, irritation of eyes, dry skin and also cancer. When consumed in high levels, chlorine can also lead to asthma. The best RO system for home available in the market can help you get rid of the chlorine present in water.
3. Chromium-6
Chromium-6 is also one of the contaminants present in water. Also called Hexavalent Chromium, this is a highly toxic form of chromium that causes cancer. It is used in many industries like steel, textile, and leather tanning industries. This toxic chemical can get mixed with tap water through industrial leakages and poor storage strategies adapted by industries. A large amount of this chemical can cause cancer in humans and animals. Reverse osmosis filtration technique is the best way to get rid of this dangerous chemical from water.
4. Fluoride
Fluoride is one of the most dangerous chemicals present in water. In the mid-1940s, there was news that adding fluoride would benefit people by preventing tooth decay problem. However, fluorine is a neurotoxin that can disrupt one’s endocrine system. The presence of huge amount of fluoride in drinking water can have adverse effects on your health as it causes neurological disorders, thyroid problems and other health issues.
5. Chloramines
Chloramine is a disinfectant that is added to water to kill bacteria and viruses. It is formed when ammonia is mixed with chlorine-treated water as a secondary disinfectant. Chloramines can increase the bacterial content in the water as ammonia is a source of food for bacteria. Due to its chemical nature, this disinfectant can cause cancer too. Apart from affecting your health, its highly corrosive property can cause harm to your pipelines as well. Water purifiers that work on reverse osmosis technique can completely remove chloramines from your water.
6. Mercury
This is the most common contaminant present in drinking water. The presence of mercury in water is due to the factory waste and sewage discharge. This can cause severe health risks such as kidney-related problems and affect the nervous system. EPA allows 0.002mg/L of mercury in drinking water.
7. Herbicides
With the increase in the rate of water pollution, the presence of herbicides in water is becoming a major concern. People living in rural areas are at higher risk as they depend upon borewells and private wells for water. These private wells and borewells are not tested regularly. The herbicides present in water are capable of causing anaemia, growth retardation, damage of kidney, liver, and eyes, low birth weight, and gastrointestinal problems. Water purifiers with inline activated carbon filters can help you in getting rid of the herbicides from drinking water.
8. Pesticides
There are so many ways in which pesticides can enter the water supply system, including pesticides from sewage, drains and rainwater. It is obviously not safe to drink water containing pesticides as it can cause serious health issues such as vomiting, stomach pain and headache.
9. DDT and HCB
Dichlorodiphenyl Trichloroethane (DDT) and Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) are two chemicals that were used to treat water in the 90s. Though these pesticides were banned soon, the by-products of these chemicals still exist. A large quantity of DDT in water can cause liver problems and birth-related issues. On the other hand, a large quantity of HCB can be fatal, while a small quantity of HCB chemical can cause damage to the liver. Use filters that work on granular activated carbon technology to get rid of these chemicals.
Clean water is a basic necessity for sustaining human life, however, the presence of contaminants in tap water lead to a number of waterborne diseases. If your health is your primary concern, you shouldn’t think twice before investing in the best RO system for home and ensure that your whole family stays safe from deadly waterborne diseases.
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