Pharmaceuticals in Water Supply

Reports of pharmaceuticals in water supply samples were carried by every major new organization earlier this year. Along with spin-offs of that covered how they got there and what the consequences might be to human health. The one thing that none of the articles mentioned was what individuals could do to remove the threat. They talked about how sewage treatment facilities could remove nearly all of the traces by using reverse osmosis. They mentioned it was an expensive step that few facilities choose to use.

They noted that improvements at drinking water treatment facilities could reduce the level of pharmaceuticals in water supply systems. The congressman said they would hold

a hearing concerning the topic.

Everyone showed concern, except some callous representatives from major providers. They simply said the public didn't need to know, because they wouldn't understand and might overreact to the news.

But, otherwise, everyone agreed that something should be done. The congressman said they would hold a hearing concerning the threat. The EPA said they knew that it was a "major concern".

But, no one bothered to explain that people could protect their families, if they chose, too. We have the technology and in the home, it is not that expensive to use. It simply requires a sub-micron particle filter, activated carbon and multi-media blocks.

Some of us have known about pharmaceuticals in water supply systems for years. One of the most common is the hormone estradiol, used in birth control pills. Only some of the hormone is absorbed by the body. The rest is ejected along with other waste products and flushed down the drain.

From there, it goes to a treatment facility. They do the minimum required by law and then dump the waters into a river. Researchers have found numerous fish downstream from these facilities with strange mutations.

Some had both male and female sex organs. Some had small heads. Others were sterile. It was learned that all of these mutations were caused by exposure to estradiol. So, what can the hormones and other pharmaceuticals found in water supply samples do to human beings?

As usual, the greatest risk is to babies that are still developing. Scientists have shown that some of the combinations slow down the growth of human cells. Other combinations, such as the hormones increase the growth of cancerous cells.

It is interesting to note that some of the common contaminants present in tap water cause and accelerate cancer growth. If a person doesn't have a home water filtration device, not only does he have an increased risk of cancer, but if he has a tumor, it will grow faster. So, now, if a person doesn't have a home filtration device, not only does he have an increases risk of cancer, but if he has a tumor, it will grow faster.

None of this is necessary. We can remove the chemicals that cause cancer, the chlorine that tastes bad, drugs that threaten our health, the toxic metal lead and all of the other contaminants commonly found in tap-water. We just need to buy an inexpensive device and install on the faucets of our home.

That's what I'm trying to let people know. It's something that reporters never seem to mention. They attract you with scary headlines about pharmaceuticals in water supply samples, then tell you there's not much of a "threat" and then leave you with no solution. Now, you know what to do.