Toxicity in our water
By Justin and Clara Hamel
Water is essential for life. Much of our health and wellness depends on our access to clean, toxin free water. Unfortunately, most tap water contains a multitude of harmful chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals and pharmaceuticals. Many of these chemicals are carcinogens, endocrine disruptors or neurotoxins that build up in our systems and contribute to a multitude of health issues including cancer, hormonal disruption and autoimmune disorders.
Although municipalities follow legal guidelines on levels of these chemicals in the water, it is important to note legal does not mean safe. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has made it easy to find out what contaminants are in your water. You can visit ewg.org/tapwater/ and enter your zip code for information on the water in your area.
Knowing what contaminants are in your water makes it easier to choose the appropriate filtration system for your drinking water. Most water filters on the market use one or a combination of the following filter technologies: carbon filtration, reverse osmosis and ion exchange.
Carbon Filters
A carbon filter reduces the level of many common contaminants, such as lead, chlorine and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Carbon filters are used in countertop filters, under the sink filters and whole house filters. Not all carbon filters are created equally; their effectiveness varies based on factors like the amount and type of carbon used, the filter’s design and the contaminants the filter is intended to remove. The more carbon and the greater the surface area, the more contaminants a filter can remove and the longer it will last.
Reverse Osmosis Filters
Reverse osmosis systems include activated carbon and sediment filters. The activated carbon treatment captures and removes chlorine, lead, VOCs and other chemicals. Water then passes through a semipermeable membrane that blocks any particles larger than water molecules. As a result, reverse osmosis systems effectively remove many contaminants, but it also removes the mineral content of the water. In addition to removing mineral content, reverse osmosis systems are known water wasters, often using three to four gallons of water to produce one gallon of filtered water.
Ion Exchange
Ion exchange works by replacing certain ions in water with other less harmful or less taste-altering ions. This technology is used by water softeners by exchanging the magnesium and calcium ions found in hard water with other ions such as sodium or hydrogen ions. While these filters are great for removing the targeted contaminates, they are not effective at removing many other contaminants.
As evidenced by the information given above, a strong choice for drinking water is a high quality carbon filter, like a Berkey. While it is more expensive upfront than many countertop filters, the cost per gallon of filtered water is less than 5 cents versus 20 cents for a Brita filter, making it a sound investment in health.
Dr. Justin Hamel and Clara Hamel have a combined over 30 years of experience in health fields. Reach them at 1° Performance & Longevity, located at 900 South Main St., Suite A in Jacksonville, on Facebook or by phone at 217-243-6358.
