“If we do not change our direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed.”
~Chinese Proverb
Resource Library – Water Purification Library
This resource library about water purification and contamination is intended to aid you in making informed decisions about the water in your home. This is a pretty random list of links where you can find articles about a wide array of water contamination issues. I’m sure if you browse them, you’ll find it most useful.
We’ve polluted our rivers and streams which are also the source of our drinking water. These articles will prove it to you, providing solid scientific evidence. Please protect yourself.
Cryptosporidium – a protozoan that exists in surface water
One scientist estimates that as many as 25% of the U.S. population is infected with cryptosporidium.
Three videos about prescription drugs in your drinking water:
Prescription Drugs in your water supply – CBS News Video
What to Do About Drugs in Your Drinking Water
Papers about the health effects of various contaminants as well as effective means to remove them using a home water purification system.
Pex or Copper Pipesin your house – an article by Green Builder
How to Make Your Tap Water Healthy
Pesticides and Lymphoma: Pesticides Cause Cancer
How to Remove Pesticides from Drinking Water –
Cocaine, Spices, Hormones Found in Drinking Water – National Geographic article
Triclosan – the dangers of a common anti-bacterial agent found in soap
Chlorine Creates Toxic By-Products
The Dangers of the Alkaline Water Ionizer Fad
Which Bottled Water Is the Best? – a comparison of the physical characteristics of bottled water
Comparison of Mineral Content in Bottled and Tap Water – Society of General Internal Medicine
Low Levels of Arsenic Linked to Diabetes – August 2008
Trihalomethanes (a byproduct of chlorinating water) Induce ColoRectal Cancers
Chloramines Are More Toxic Than Chlorine: Chloramine Study
A paper that illustrates how mercury in water is increasing: Mercury is Spreading
EPA’s mercury warnings for various fish species: US FDA – Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish
A paper on the effectiveness of various methods to remove arsenic: Arsenic Removal
the relationship between alum or Aluminum in water and Alzheimer’s Disease
Is hard water good for your heart? Is Hard Water Good for You?
Are kidney stones due to drinking water or diet: Kidney Stones and Drinking Water
Minerals in Water – A short description of Common minerals in drinking water
The Structure of Water – A Stanford University Study which shows the molecular structure of water. This provides indirect evidence for the idea of revitalized water.
There are Cosmetics In Your Water
Deepak Chopra on Aging – reversing or slowing the aging process
Tal Ben-Shahar on Happiness – take these six simple steps to being happy
In the News – Articles About Drinking Water Contamination
Amoebas in drinking water a double threat – January 31, 2011
US says too much fluoride causing splotchy teeth – January 7, 2011 fluoride levels reduced
Environmental Working Group Map of Cities with Hexavalent Chromium
Study Links Fluoride to Pre-term Birth and Anemia in Pregnancy
Colorado Oil and Gas Drilling Causing Water to Burst Into Flames
Male Fish in the Potomac River Carry Eggs Due to Chemicals
Male Bass in the Susquehanna River Carry Eggs
Your Daily Shower May Deliver a Faceful of Bacteria
People Who Drink Water Have Healthier Diets
Airborne Contaminants Raining Down Across the West
The Chemicals Within – Newsweek
Lead Linked to Premature Aging
Heat Causes Chemical to Leach from Plastic – but debunking a claim about dioxin
Hydrogen Sulfide Gets a New Look From EPA
7 Medical Myths Even Doctors Believe
People are reacting to chloramines in their water
Tap Water Linked to Bladder Cancer in Men
Pesticides Found in Rivers and Streams Throughout the U.S.
Pesticide Use Linked to Childhood Leukemia
Pesticide Use Linked to Male Infertility
Public Data Shows Chemicals in Tap Water
Mercury Blows Across the West from Nevada Gold Mines
Pharmaceuticals in our drinking water
Traces of Cocaine in the River Thames
Even Low Levels of Common Contaminants are Dangerous to Your Health**
Pesticide ‘Soup’ Linked to Amphibian Deaths
Cancerous Tumors in Maryland Catfish
Pharmaceuticals in Rivers Raise Concern
Low Levels of Toxins allowed by EPA Remain Dangerous to Human Health
Swimming in Chlorinated Pools May Increase Risk of Hay Fever
Perchlorate Found in 97% of Breast Milk Samples
Loch Vale in Rocky Mountain National Park contains high levels of mercury
Wastewater Treatment Plant in Boulder, CO Changes Downstream Male Fish into Females
Most Tap Water Is Polluted by Municipal Infrastructure
Miscellaneous
The Effect of Fluoride on Horses – a You Tube video
Which Water Filter is the best? – article
Jim’s You Tube Channel – video
Quote Of Interest
University of Illinois: “What we soon realized,” says Sayers, “is that your colon is like a singles bar. Bacteria are passing around DNA like there’s no tomorrow.”
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Caffeine was found in more than 160 of 216 samples in water as deep as 640 feet.
“It was everywhere,” Schuman said. “There’s an effect (from) humans on the (Puget) sound and it’s almost ubiquitous. It’s not just at the end of the (discharge) pipe.” Read More Here: Vanilla in Your Water
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We need to change our ways and stop treating the Great Lakes like a toilet,” the report concludes. Sierra Legal Defense Fund Read more here: Sewage Threatening the Great Lakes
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Regarding the recent disclosure that male bass in the Potomac River carry eggs:
“If scientists have not yet determined what pollutant is causing a reproductive health problem in fish in the Potomac, how can anyone say it is not in our drinking water?” he asked.
Read more here: EPA chided over ‘intersex’ fish concerns
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Fluoride: “Though the review found that adding fluoride to drinking water helps fight cavities, University of York research fellow Paul Wilson called the overall quality of studies his group analyzed “really poor.” Many were biased or used outdated scientific methods, he says, so it’s impossible to say whether fluoride is safe or a threat. “There is currently a lack of reliable evidence to make a definitive judgment either way,” he says.”
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An interesting development related to that last quote:
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 — The Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday that it was recommending new restrictions on thousands of uses of pesticides because of their adverse effects on public health.
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Factoid: Atrazine
Did you know that at 1 part per billion the approved and commonly applied pesticide Atrazine can cause frogs to grow both male and female sex organs? **
Does that sound like something you want in your water?
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Associated Press (March): But simply detecting the presence of a pesticide does not always mean there is reason for concern, said Jay Vroom, president of CropLife America, which represents pesticide developers and manufacturers. He emphasized that the use of pesticides by farmers, ranchers and others is strictly regulated by federal and state laws.
See the remainder of this story here: Pesticides Found in Rivers and Streams Throughout the U.S.
Consumer Reports (February 2006): “A growing body of research shows that pesticides and other contaminants are more prevalent in the foods we eat, in our bodies, and in the environment than we thought…”
Note: There’s no doubt at all that Consumer Reports is an excellent source of research information pertaining to cost. I have found their research to be superficial in those cases where my expertise lies and so have to conclude that their advice is often faulty. In the case of this article, they provide some serious warnings about some foods, suggesting organic alternatives. I agree. Their comments about government definitions are good and a serious issue confronting legitimate organic producers today. But their suggestions about what to purchase I find questionable. It all comes down to your supplier and who you trust. For instance, Consumer Reports leaves the impression that ‘free range’ poultry products may be a scam. I buy and use free range poultry all the time from a supplier I rely on. As usual the larger companies are taking advantage of weak definitions to sell weak product under the guise of misleading words. There are good suppliers providing excellent organic product using the definitions as they were intended. The key: know who you’re buying from and whether you trust them or not.
Resources – links to resource pages
National Pesticide Database – a comprehensive listing by the USDA of pesticide use by state and crop type
Organic Consumers Association – an organization actively working to promote and protect organic standards
Typical Family Water Use Statistics – by the American Waterworks Association
Non-chlorinated swimming pools – a link for those of you who are interested in swimming without chlorine. This company has asked if I’d be interested in selling their product. You can convert an existing chlorine based system to this ionization technology for only $795. If you’re interested in buying, give me a call.
Jim McMahon – I study and read and hardly rest, often multi-tasking, in my quest for knowledge to share with you: my valued client.
“What’s in Your Water?”
