Water is essential for life. We need it to drink, cook, and clean. Most of us take water for granted and assume that because it comes out of our taps, it must be safe.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. There are many ways that tap water can affect your health and make you sick.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the ways that tap water can be harmful to your health. We will also provide some tips on how you can protect yourself and your family from these dangers, including how using a water filtration system will benefit you and your family.
Harmful Contaminants in Tap Water
One of the main ways that tap water can make you sick is by contaminating it with harmful bacteria and viruses. These contaminants can come from a variety of sources, including sewage, animal waste, and agricultural runoff. They can also come from faulty or old pipes that leach lead and other toxins into the water. Another way tap water can make you sick is by containing harmful chemicals. These chemicals can come from a variety of sources, including agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and water treatment plants.
Tap water can also make you sick by containing pollutants that can cause respiratory problems. These pollutants include particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).These pollutants can come from a variety of sources, including power plants, factories, and automobiles. They can also come from natural sources, such as volcanoes.
Exposure Can Lead To Various Health Problems
The mentioned water contaminants can cause a variety of illnesses, ranging from mild to life-threatening. Some of the more common illnesses include gastrointestinal infections, skin infections, and respiratory infections. More serious illnesses include hepatitis A, cholera, and dysentery.
Respiratory Problems
One of the health effects of tap water pollution is respiratory problems. The pollutants in tap water can irritate your lungs and make it difficult to breathe. They can also cause inflammation and exacerbate existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma and bronchitis.
Skin Irritation
Another health effect of tap water pollution is skin irritation. The pollutants in tap water can dry out your skin and make it irritated and itchy. They can also cause rashes, hives, and other skin problems.
Gastrointestinal Problems
The contaminants in tap water can also cause gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. These problems are particularly common in young children and the elderly.
Neurological Problems
The pollutants in tap water can also cause neurological problems, such as headaches, dizziness, and memory loss. Furthermore, long-term exposure to these pollutants can increase your risk of developing Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Cancer
Some of the chemicals that are found in tap water, such as arsenic and chloroform, are known carcinogens. This means that they can increase your risk of developing cancer.
For example, exposure to arsenic has been linked to an increased risk of skin, bladder, kidney, and lung cancer. Furthermore, exposure to chloroform has been linked to an increased risk of liver and kidney cancer.
Legionnaires’ Disease
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia that is caused by the Legionella bacteria. This bacteria can be found in water that is contaminated with sewage, animal waste, or agricultural runoff.
This bacteria can grow in standing water, such as that found in hot tubs, cooling towers, and air conditioning units. Exposure to Legionella bacteria can cause a severe form of pneumonia, which can be fatal.
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. It can also cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a virus that is found in contaminated food and water. It can also be spread through contact with infected feces. This virus can cause a severe liver infection, which can lead to liver failure.
Symptoms of hepatitis A include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. It can also cause yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, and light-colored stools.
Cholera
Cholera is a bacterial infection that is spread through contaminated food and water. It can also be spread through contact with infected feces. This disease can cause severe dehydration, which can lead to death if left untreated.
Symptoms of cholera include watery diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle cramps. It can also cause low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and severe dehydration.
Dysentery
Dysentery is a bacterial infection that is spread through contaminated food and water. It can also be spread through contact with infected feces. This disease can cause inflammation of the intestine, which can lead to bloody diarrhea.
Symptoms of dysentery include watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. It can also cause nausea, vomiting, and weight loss.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Health
There are a few things you can do to protect yourself and your family from the dangers of tap water. First, you should only drink water that has been properly treated and filtered.
This includes water that has been boiled for at least three minutes or water that has been treated with a reverse osmosis system.
You should also avoid swimming in or bathing in water that may be contaminated. If you must swim in such water, be sure to shower immediately afterwards and wash your hands thoroughly.
You can also help to prevent contamination of tap water by maintaining proper sanitation and hygiene practices. This includes washing your hands regularly, disinfecting surfaces, and avoiding contact with contaminated water.
The best way to protect yourself from these risks is to go for the safe option of using a water filtration system that will remove all the harmful contaminants from your water, making it safe for you to drink.
If you are concerned about the quality of your tap water, you should contact your local water utility company or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
You can also have your tap water tested by a certified laboratory. Having a water filter is the best way to remove contaminants from your water and make sure that it is safe for you and your family to drink.
Ensure Your Safety From Water Contaminants
Tap water pollution is a major problem that should not be ignored.You should also be aware of the signs and symptoms of waterborne illnesses, so you can seek medical help if you or someone in your family becomes ill. By being aware of the risks and following these simple tips, you can help to protect yourself and your family from the dangers of tap water contamination.
There are many different types of water filters available on the market, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.If you are not sure which water filtration system to choose, you can always consult a professional to help you make the best decision for your family.
