Most of us take for granted that the water coming out of our taps is safe to drink. However, there may be hidden dangers lurking in your water supply that threaten your health and well-being. Knowing what these contaminants are and how they affect your body can help you protect yourself from potential harm.
Potential Contaminants in Your Water
Lead
Lead is one of the most dangerous contaminants when it comes to drinking water because it can cause serious long-term health problems. It’s been linked to neurological damage, kidney malfunction, and even cancer. Unfortunately, lead contamination can occur due to old pipes or old fixtures in your home that contain lead components. If you suspect your home may have lead contamination, there are testing kits available that can help you determine if this is an issue in your home.
Nitrate/Nitrite
Nitrates occur naturally in soil and air but release into ground or surface waters when fertilizer or manure come into contact with them. Nitrates are harmless when ingested but can become harmful nitrites when exposed to bacteria within the digestive tract; nitrites interfere with oxygen metabolism which can decrease healthy oxygen levels within the bloodstream leading to methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome). If high levels of nitrate/nitrite are suspected within your drinking water, a lab test will be necessary for confirmation purposes.
Bacteria
Bacterial contamination is another common problem with drinking water. Common bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella, and shigella are often found in contaminated drinking water and can cause severe gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, vomiting, and cramping. To reduce the risk of bacterial contamination in your home’s drinking water supply, make sure that you regularly flush out any unused taps or fixtures in your home as well as regularly replace all filters on your faucets and showerheads.
Chlorine
Chlorine is often used to disinfect our drinking water supply, however too much chlorine can be dangerous for our health as it has been linked to an increased risk of cancer and other respiratory illnesses. If you smell a strong chlorine odor coming from your tap, then chances are there’s too much chlorine present in your drinking water supply which needs to be addressed immediately by a professional plumber or water treatment specialist who will be able to identify the root issue causing the excessive presence of chlorine in your tap water.
Arsenic
Arsenic is an element found naturally in water, but elevated levels can occur due to agricultural runoff or industrial waste near drinking water sources. Exposure to arsenic through contaminated drinking water has been linked to bladder cancer as well as kidney, liver and lung damage. Ingestion of arsenic over long periods of time can also affect neurological development in children and increase the risk of heart disease in adults. The only way to determine if there are elevated levels of arsenic present in your drinking water is through testing by a qualified laboratory.
Atlantic Blue Water Center Will Ensure Your Home’s Water is Clean
It’s important to keep in mind that while these contaminants are some of the more common ones found in tap water supplies across the country, they are not the only ones out there! There could potentially be many other hidden dangers lurking in your own personal water supply so make sure you regularly test for any signs of contamination if you want to ensure that your family remains safe and healthy! Homeowners should also take steps like flushing out unused taps or fixtures on a regular basis as well as replacing filters on showerheads or faucets when necessary – all of these measures will help ensure that potential danger from contaminants is minimized! Atlantic Blue Water Center provides free water testing, which can give you the peace of mind that your home’s water is free from contaminants. Contact us today at 410-751-9200 to schedule your water test!