If you have ever asked me - "how dangerous is tap water for showering?" Before I answered the question, I would ask you - "how concerned are you about cancer?".
The carcinogens present in tap-water become airborne in the shower.
You inhale them and they are absorbed through your skin.
Scientists debate about whether it is more harmful to ingest these carcinogens or shower in them.
Recent studies indicate that the shower is an even bigger threat than the kitchen sink.
Your current state of health and your lifestyle are also relevant when you consider the dangers of bathing in unfiltered water.
So, there are several other questions to answer.
That will help you evaluate your personal risks.
How dangerous is tap water for showering, if you have asthma? One of the chemicals that are vaporized during a shower is chlorine.
Chlorine is well-known to trigger asthma attacks.
Indoor swimming pool experts are always mindful of this effect when they check chlorine levels.
The levels of chlorine that are considered safe for drinking purposes are not considered safe to swim in.
Primarily because of skin and eye irritation, but also because the fumes irritate the respiratory tract.
If you have frequent sinus headaches or other respiratory ailments, you should try taking a shower in filtered water.
You'll be amazed at the difference it will make in your health.
How dangerous is tap water for showering, if you are pregnant? This is a question that has come up again and again over the years.
First researchers say that exposure to THMs (chlorine byproducts) in the shower increase the risk of birth defects and miscarrying.
Follow-up studies say "no".
Further follow-up says "yes", again.
So, the debate goes back and forth in the scientific community.
I always prefer to err on the side of caution.
If you can avoid a possible health risk, without spending a lot of money, then why not do it? An effective shower filter can be purchased for less than $70.
But, be careful, there are some pretenders on the market.
Those systems only remove about 50% of the chlorine and they do not remove THMs.
How dangerous is tap water for showering, if you also swim regularly in chlorinated pools? This question was addressed recently by researchers in Asia.
After assessing the total cancer risk, they reported that the risk to swimmers was "unacceptable" and that "something should be done".
What should be done is simple.
Don't give up swimming.
Install an effective shower filter and reduce your risk.
Of course, you should also have one in the kitchen.
Buying bottled brands is not a safe alternative.
They still contain chlorine and the Dasani brand was found to contain a THM.
This finding resulted in reports that Dasani was a carcinogen and eventually the product was removed from the UK market, where the study was completed.
Organizations in the US seem less concerned about our health and more concerned about industry.
So, how dangerous is tap water for showering?Even if the dangers are small, don't you want to protect your health and that of your family in every way possible?Buy a shower filter, today.
The carcinogens present in tap-water become airborne in the shower.
You inhale them and they are absorbed through your skin.
Scientists debate about whether it is more harmful to ingest these carcinogens or shower in them.
Recent studies indicate that the shower is an even bigger threat than the kitchen sink.
Your current state of health and your lifestyle are also relevant when you consider the dangers of bathing in unfiltered water.
So, there are several other questions to answer.
That will help you evaluate your personal risks.
How dangerous is tap water for showering, if you have asthma? One of the chemicals that are vaporized during a shower is chlorine.
Chlorine is well-known to trigger asthma attacks.
Indoor swimming pool experts are always mindful of this effect when they check chlorine levels.
The levels of chlorine that are considered safe for drinking purposes are not considered safe to swim in.
Primarily because of skin and eye irritation, but also because the fumes irritate the respiratory tract.
If you have frequent sinus headaches or other respiratory ailments, you should try taking a shower in filtered water.
You'll be amazed at the difference it will make in your health.
How dangerous is tap water for showering, if you are pregnant? This is a question that has come up again and again over the years.
First researchers say that exposure to THMs (chlorine byproducts) in the shower increase the risk of birth defects and miscarrying.
Follow-up studies say "no".
Further follow-up says "yes", again.
So, the debate goes back and forth in the scientific community.
I always prefer to err on the side of caution.
If you can avoid a possible health risk, without spending a lot of money, then why not do it? An effective shower filter can be purchased for less than $70.
But, be careful, there are some pretenders on the market.
Those systems only remove about 50% of the chlorine and they do not remove THMs.
How dangerous is tap water for showering, if you also swim regularly in chlorinated pools? This question was addressed recently by researchers in Asia.
After assessing the total cancer risk, they reported that the risk to swimmers was "unacceptable" and that "something should be done".
What should be done is simple.
Don't give up swimming.
Install an effective shower filter and reduce your risk.
Of course, you should also have one in the kitchen.
Buying bottled brands is not a safe alternative.
They still contain chlorine and the Dasani brand was found to contain a THM.
This finding resulted in reports that Dasani was a carcinogen and eventually the product was removed from the UK market, where the study was completed.
Organizations in the US seem less concerned about our health and more concerned about industry.
So, how dangerous is tap water for showering?Even if the dangers are small, don't you want to protect your health and that of your family in every way possible?Buy a shower filter, today.
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