The Truth about Drinking Water:
Is it more harmful than helpful?
Janay M. Kingsberry
Issue date: 5/12/08 Section: Health
Most of us have been told to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. Nutritionists continue to emphasize the vital role water plays in delivering oxygen and nutrients as well as cleansing our bodies of waste. But, I have recently begun to question how pure our drinking water really is. And after extensive research, I found some very unpleasant answers that everyone should be aware of.
A serious problem may have affected 41 million Americans nationwide: the drugging of our drinking water. After a 5-month-long investigation, The Associated Press has found pharmaceutical drugs in the drinking water supplies of 24 major metropolitan areas, which include Philadelphia, New York, and Southern California. According to the Associated Press, 56 drugs were found in Philadelphia's waterway. Medicines for pain, infection, asthma, and epilepsy are just a few that were present in the drinking supply.
The main cause of these medications reaching our water supply is the improper disposal of pharmaceutical drugs. Unfortunately, both patients and pharmacists have been instructed to flush old medications down the toilet as a safe and quick means to eliminating drugs. Yet, this method becomes problematic once medications reach sewage-treatment plants. Although some sophisticated drugs have high rates of removal, other drugs tend to go into sludge, or mud. Therefore, it is likely that all pharmaceutical drugs, to some extent, can make it into our waterway systems.
While Americans may want to be cautious of drinking tap water, other studies have shown that bottled water is neither safer nor cleaner. In fact, bottled water, which is only tested annually, may be of lower quality than tap water, which is required to be tested quarterly. In addition, scientists have discovered that plastic used in disposable bottles can pose a greater threat of contamination than water alone. #1 polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PET, is a safe plastic if used only once. However, since most #1 bottles are commonly reused, they can leak chemicals such as DEHA, a potential hormone disrupter.
Although it is simply impossible to avoid all health risks and exposure to bacteria, we can still receive the nutrients needed to keep our bodies functioning properly with a few simple tips. Firstly, consider disposing drugs, such as pills and liquid medications, into a plastic bag. Mix kitty litter or coffee grounds into the bag and seal it to reduce the risk of poisoning. Dispose the bag in your household trash. To protect yourself against contamination from plastic bottles, the best alternative is to drink from a metal water bottle which can handle a variety of liquids and won't leach chemicals into your beverage.
It's important to continue to consume the required amount of water each day. Yet on the other hand, remain alert and cautious to the health risks around you, until we can discover new innovations for providing and purifying our water.
A serious problem may have affected 41 million Americans nationwide: the drugging of our drinking water. After a 5-month-long investigation, The Associated Press has found pharmaceutical drugs in the drinking water supplies of 24 major metropolitan areas, which include Philadelphia, New York, and Southern California. According to the Associated Press, 56 drugs were found in Philadelphia's waterway. Medicines for pain, infection, asthma, and epilepsy are just a few that were present in the drinking supply.
The main cause of these medications reaching our water supply is the improper disposal of pharmaceutical drugs. Unfortunately, both patients and pharmacists have been instructed to flush old medications down the toilet as a safe and quick means to eliminating drugs. Yet, this method becomes problematic once medications reach sewage-treatment plants. Although some sophisticated drugs have high rates of removal, other drugs tend to go into sludge, or mud. Therefore, it is likely that all pharmaceutical drugs, to some extent, can make it into our waterway systems.
While Americans may want to be cautious of drinking tap water, other studies have shown that bottled water is neither safer nor cleaner. In fact, bottled water, which is only tested annually, may be of lower quality than tap water, which is required to be tested quarterly. In addition, scientists have discovered that plastic used in disposable bottles can pose a greater threat of contamination than water alone. #1 polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PET, is a safe plastic if used only once. However, since most #1 bottles are commonly reused, they can leak chemicals such as DEHA, a potential hormone disrupter.
Although it is simply impossible to avoid all health risks and exposure to bacteria, we can still receive the nutrients needed to keep our bodies functioning properly with a few simple tips. Firstly, consider disposing drugs, such as pills and liquid medications, into a plastic bag. Mix kitty litter or coffee grounds into the bag and seal it to reduce the risk of poisoning. Dispose the bag in your household trash. To protect yourself against contamination from plastic bottles, the best alternative is to drink from a metal water bottle which can handle a variety of liquids and won't leach chemicals into your beverage.
It's important to continue to consume the required amount of water each day. Yet on the other hand, remain alert and cautious to the health risks around you, until we can discover new innovations for providing and purifying our water.
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