Home » Food Processing » Water chlorination info

Water chlorination info

Water chlorination has been one of the major disease prevention treatments of the 20th century. While very effective, this solution has its down sides.

As per 1993 research, water chlorination produces various byproducts, such as chloroform, bromodichloromethane, chlorodibromomethane, and bromoform.  The trihalomethanes,  are carcinogenic in the liver, kidney, and/or intestine of rodents  (From : NIH).

Conclusion of that study  suggests that organic byproducts of chlorination are the chemicals of greatest concern in assessment of the carcinogenic potential of chlorinated drinking water.

Exposure to THMs can come from ingestion  (e.g., drinking water), inhalation (e.g., from showering or workplace exposure), or from absorption through the skin contact (e.g., from swimming in chlorinated water or from water  vapor in the air). One study funded by  the Centers for Disease Control found that people had higher levels of THMs in their blood after taking  a 10-minute shower than after drinking a liter of tap water. (From: CA DOE)

It really comes down to finding the smallest of the two evils: waterborne illnesses, that have plagued human civilization for centuries, vs  exposing yourself to carcinogenic chemical.

Pick your poison… or use activated carbon based filters (From: EPA)

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=5&ved=0CDgQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.energy.ca.gov%2Fresearch%2Fenvironmental%2Fproject_summaries%2FPS_100-98-001_ZAMMIT2.PDF&rct=j&q=chlorination%20shower%20trihalomethanes%20site%3Agov&ei=gZ8kTtfGDISDgAfs1cm-Cw&usg=AFQjCNF6xhBQR7b6-HJ1GuY3YtkuH5_C6Q&sig2=vNpFcxhkCNAaMJ6xEmo6xQ&cad=rja

One Response to Water chlorination info

  1. That’s true, activated carbon filters make things better and water taster. That is until the next study comes out showing how carbon based filters are producing carbonofiltrothanes and carbonofiltroforms that in large does become carcinogens.

    In all, interesting article whose effect is somewhat diminished by the “these studies have not been adequate to draw definite conclusions about the carcinogenic potential of the individual byproducts” quote in the cited NIH report.

    There is got to be more pressing danger to our health out there. Besides, life is a fatal sexually transmitted disease. Oh well…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*


*