DRINKING WATER ANALYSIS PART TWO

Chlorine

chlorine: studies1 indicate that chlorine is involved in heart disease, hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis), anaemia, high blood pressure, allergies and cancers2 of the bladder, stomach, liver and rectum. Further, chlorine can destroy protein in the body and cause adverse effects on the skin and hair. The US COUNCIL of environmental quality states that  “cancer risk among people drinking chlorinated water is 93% higher than among those whose water does not contain chlorine”. Chlorine binds and reacts with many other chemicals, forming carcinogens like Trihallomethanes3 (THMs), with chloroform being the most common one. Furthermore, recent real life evidence in the tap water of Sydney shows that certain viruses and parasites, like giardia and cryptosporidium, are being resistant to chlorine and can survive the long journey from the sewage treatment to your tap. That makes chlorination a even more pointless and dangerous practice.

Fluoride

sodium fluoride: this is not a water treatment and was initially added as a supplement to ‘assumingly’ prevent tooth decay5 in children. Its toxicity is high enough that in larger concentrations can be used as a pesticide and rat killer. In humans it can be damaging to the heart, lungs, liver, cause genetic mutations and have long term negative effects on enzyme production and the efficiency of the immune system. In the medical encyclopedia and dictionary by Miller-Keane, under fluoridation it refers that slight excesses of fluoride are poisonous and it can cause dental fluorosis (mottled discolouration of teeth) and when you look up further down under fluorosis, you can see clearly the irony of the system “an enamel hypoplasia resulting from prolonged ingestion of drinking water containing high levels of fluoride”. Tests carried out in Victoria in 1976 by the State Water Supply Commission indicated that fluoride is involved in the corrosion of the copper pipes, which causes more poisons leaching into the water. Copper at certain concentrations effects the uptake of essential zinc in the body and can bring on stomach pain, nausea and diarrhoea. Newer office blocks and high stories buildings are more risky, as taps are not regularly used, leaving fluorinated water standing in the copper pipes for longer periods of times, consequently allowing corrosion. As the debate about the safety of fluoride continuous, countries such as Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Sweden have terminated its use due to its potential health hazard.

Nitrates

Nitrates from fertilisers when brought in contact with chlorine and ammonia, can turn into nitrites. Nitrites once inside the body combine with amines and form nitrosamines which are highly carcinogenic. Nitrites can interfere with oxygen uptake and since babies are specifically sensitive to this aspect you could not fail to see a possible link between blue baby syndrome and the nitrite factor. 

According to studies by the state of California, women who drink tap water have twice as many miscarriages and birth defects as those who have filtering devises or are drinking bottled water. Five studies arrived to the same conclusion, according to State Health, Director Kenneth Kizer.

Aluminium

aluminium sulphate: that is added to clarify water, has long been associated with memory loss and Alzheimers disease and is believed to increase cardiovascular disease.

Lead

is another chemical ingredient found in the water that imposes risks to the nervous, circulatory and digestive systems. It is a teratogen, a substance known to cause physical defects in the developing embryo. Chronic exposure, even in small doses, may have serious implications to your well being. Symptoms to be wary of are irritability, nervousness, weight loss, anaemia, stomach crumps, constipation and mental depression. The main source of lead in the water is the plumbing and its corrosion.

Inorganic Minerals

Inorganic minerals (minerals not suitable for human consumption) such as calcium carbonate, have their effect. Unable to be assimilated they store in between joints, muscles, bones, nerves, inside arteries and become partners in many crippling dis-eases, such as arthritis, hardening of the arteries, gall stones, kidney stones, gout, tinnitus and perhaps even stroke and neuralgia. Dr Paul C. Bragg in his essay and book ‘THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT WATER’ argues that the human brain and other body structures will become hardened largely through the use of “chemicalized and inorganically mineralised water”.

Dr E. Banik, in his book ‘THE CHOICE IS CLEAR’, explains that inorganic minerals coat the crystalline lens of the eye with a fine film, resulting in cataracts. Glaucoma, the dreadful eye disease, can be another result of hard water. The tiny vessels film up with mineral deposits, which results in a build-up pressure in the eye.