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Chlorine is a chemical most commonly known for its use in pools. However, it is found in more places than just this summer hangout. Chlorine is a key component in products ranging from pesticides to solvents to rubber and often even drinking water (yikes!). Although many of us are exposed to chlorine in our attempts to cool down from the heat, not many are aware of the dangers of this chemical. Unwanted exposure to chlorine can result in chest tightness, blurred vision, nausea/vomiting, and a burning sensation in the nose/throat/eyes. Long term complications are even more precarious, resulting in pulmonary edema (fluid build up in the lungs.) It is important to note that chlorine exposure does not occur solely through the contact of the chemical with the skin. Contact between the chemical and the eye can occur if chlorine is released into the air. Additionally, chlorine can be breathed in once released into the air. Chlorine also becomes problematic when it comes to bathing and showering as it can be absorbed through the skin. It is imperative for the safety of your home to ensure that the levels of Chlorine in your water are reduced. This includes not just your drinking water, but water used for cooking and washing must be chlorine-free. Click here to learn more about how to reduce chlorine from every faucet.

Well water often contains at least small amounts of some contaminants, including the metals iron and manganese. At low concentrations, these metals aren’t harmful to your health, but they can cause staining. Iron causes orange stains while manganese leaves brownish-black stains. Soaps and detergents don’t remove these stains, and the use of chlorine bleach can actually intensify them. Test Your Well Water for Contaminants The presence of stains often makes it obvious that iron and/or manganese are present in your water supply, but it’s still a good idea to use a test kit to determine the exact concentrations of each of these contaminants. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Secondary Drinking Water Standards recommend that your drinking water contains no more than 0.3 parts per million of iron and 0.05 parts per million of manganese. Iron concentrations as low as 0.3 parts per million can cause staining.   In addition to the concentration, it’s important to determine the form of the contaminants present in your water. If the water collected from your well is initially clear but then turns orange or black over time, this means that the contaminants are dissolved in your water. If solid particles of iron and/or manganese are apparent immediately in your well water, this means that the contaminants are in an oxidized form. Knowing the concentration and form of the contaminants in your water will help you to determine the most effective treatment.   Investi...

Hydraulic fracturing is the process of drilling into the ground to obtain natural gas and oil from the earth. Commonly known as fracking, this is largely accomplished through the use of sand and water. However, a small amount of chemicals referred to as highly volatile organic compounds (HVOCs) are also used in fracking, and these chemicals can contaminate the well water that makes it into your home. Add that to the fact that surface gas can escape into the water table too, and you have a serious potential health concern for your family. Hazards of Fracking Water Contamination Trimethylbenzene, Xylene and Hexane are among the primary HVOCs that can contaminate water as a result of fracking. And while fracking isn’t the only way HVOCs find their way into the environment, exposure can cause a range of health problems, including irritation of the mucous membranes, damage to the central nervous and respiratory systems, deterioration of memory and potentially even cancer. Furthermore, natural gas can escape into the water table, resulting in water that is actually flammable.   Chlorine in Drinking Water Unfortunately, even chlorine can play a role in making the water you drink and bathe in unhealthy. Chlorine is typically added to water because of its ability to destroy bacteria and other infectious agents that could make you sick. And while its presence is seen as protective in nature, it acts with organic elements naturally found in our water to create a dangerous compound c...

Contaminants that can sometimes be found in drinking water can have a serious effect on your health. Some contaminants, such as cesium, iodine, lead, strontium, and tritium can lead to cancer. Other contaminants, such as chlorate, chlorite, cyanide, ethylbenzene, and xylenes can cause other organ, respiratory, and neurological issues. Chlorite and chlorate are a byproduct of disinfection in systems involving chlorine dioxide, and can cause thyroid gland effects, neurobehavioral effects, decreased absolute brain weight, and altered liver weights. Cyanide is introduced into water by industrial and mining effluents and are released from organic compounds, and exposure can cause hypersensitivity, asthma, or bronchitis. Ethylbenzene and xylenes come from the emissions or spills of petroleum and chemical industries, and exposure can lead to liver and pituitary gland issues or neuromuscular effects. Carcinogenic contaminants can also be found in drinking water. Cesium and strontium come from nuclear weapons and reactors and can cause multiple cancers. Iodine can also cause multiple cancers and comes from sewage effluent. Lead and tritium are naturally occurring but can lead to cancer as well. While some of these contaminants may not have immediate health consequences, they can be dangerous if you’re exposed to them for a long period of time. Even at low doses, the effects can be cumulative over the years. In the United States, there is a requirement to test for all of the contami...