According to a survey conducted by the Water Quality Association in 2019, approximately 77% of American households use some form of water treatment or filtration, including filtering their tap water. But the most common form of water filtration is activated carbon, which is ineffective in removing the most dangerous contaminants.
When it comes to drinking water, most Americans fall into two categories:
1) We assume that because our city or county treats our tap water, it must be safe to drink.
2) We recognize the limitations of municipal water treatment and use a carbon-based point-of-use or whole-house filter. Then we assume our drinking water is safe.
The purpose of this book is to challenge both of those assumptions. The truth is there are nasty chemicals Americans drink daily that have been linked to various health problems.
First, let’s look at those health problems.
Since the 1970s, Americans have become increasingly unhealthy. Significant advances in medical technology have been made with better equipment, procedures, and medications. But the number of Americans getting sick in the first place has increased dramatically.
Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, in 1975, the age-adjusted incidence rate for all cancers combined was 442.4 cases per 100,000 people. In 2018, that rate increased to 498.0 cases per 100,000 people. That’s an increase of 12.6%!
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a type of cancer directly related to some water contaminants we will discuss soon. According to the American Cancer Society, in 1975, there were 7.9 cases of NHL per 100,000 people. Now it’s 19.5 cases per 100,000 people, an increase of 146%!
Hyperactive activity disorder
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) in children has increased from 6.1% in 1997 to 10.2% in 2015.
Learning disabilities
According to a report from the National Center for Learning Disabilities, the number of children receiving special education services for specific learning disabilities increased from 1.8 million in 1976 to 2.9 million in 2018. That’s a 61.1% increase!
Birth defects:
Since the 1970s, there has been an increase in babies being born with Spina Bifida and neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD.s.
Skin conditions
Acne, dermatitis, and rashes on our skin have also increased.
People with Weakened Immune Systems
some research has suggested that exposure to certain environmental toxins, such as pesticides and heavy metals, may impair immune function.
People Sick from Hormone Disruption
The amount of Americans getting sick from hormone disruption is also increasing. Hormone disruption is caused by chemicals that mimic the function of natural hormones in our bodies. Because of these chemicals, many people are dealing with their testosterone and estrogen levels being too high or too low. This causes a whole host of medical problems.
Believe it or not, these health conditions have been linked to chemicals in your drinking water.
These chemicals include glyphosate, PCBs, PCAs, heavy metals, and more. Some companies guilty of unleashing these chemicals into our water include Monsanto, Dupont, and Nufarm.
Our municipal water treatment facilities are legally bound to follow the water safety guidelines provided by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). However, many times they have failed to keep contaminants at a safe level. Furthermore, contaminants like excessive heavy metals and glyphosate aren’t safe to consume at ANY level. Any amount of exposure can cause health problems.
Americans are getting sicker, and we have assumed our drinking water is safe for decades. It’s time to rethink that assumption! The path to making water great again begins by taking a hard, cold look at the contaminants in our drinking water, how they got there, and how they directly impact our health.
