You May Be Exposed to More Chlorine and DBPs Than You Ever Imagined
Extracts from “Is Your Water Safe” by Dr. Mercola.
Please don’t assume that because the water in your home seems okay, it’s healthy. It’s impossible to determine the safety of your water by the way it looks, tastes or smells. For example, tap water in some areas of the U.S. smells and
tastes better than in other areas.
Don’t be fooled.
Many of the contaminants in chlorinated water are so potent they are measured in parts per million (PPM) or parts per billion (PPB). Just a drop in a gallon of water can be very harmful. That’s why a taste or sniff test of your tap water provides no real clue as to its safety with constant exposure.
And remember, your primary exposure to these chemicals isn’t even from the water you drink. Most people aren’t aware that when you shower, your exposure to DBPs is dramatically increased. This is largely related to the volume of water you are exposed to, and the fact that the shower actually volatilizes these chemicals so you breathe
them in, and absorb them through your lungs and your skin.
Warm water causes your skin to become like a sponge. Amazing as it sounds, you can absorb more chlorine and dangerous DBPs in a 10 minute shower than by drinking eight full glasses of the very same water.
Chlorine exposure in your daily shower can also irritate your eyes, your sinuses, and your throat. Chlorine gas is a respiratory irritant, so your lungs can also be affected. Additionally, it is well known that chlorine dries your hair and scalp, and can damage your hair cuticles and cause, or worsen, dandruff.
Likewise, when you open your dishwasher door after running a load of dishes, toxic volatilized chlorine and DBPs from detergent and tap water is released into the air, causing indoor pollution right in your home.
As you can see, toxic chlorine exposure in your home comes from many sources beyond drinking unfiltered water from your sink. You and your family are exposed to a toxic cocktail of chemicals every time you:
- shower or take a bath
- wash your hands
- run a load of laundry
- wash dishes, glasses and utensils
- rinse fruits, vegetables or other foods