Further Information Columnists Contribute Articles Links Contact Us Advertise Privacy Policy Disclaimer

Safety of Tap Water

Contributed by Nadia Johnson

When I was about three months pregnant with our son I developed awful rash. Hundreds of tiny itchy red spots covered my neck, chest and belly. In addition, I suffered from endless sneezing attacks ending up in nosebleeds almost every morning after I took a shower. I didn't put those two or rather three together until two months later. After numerous tests and doctor's visits the final diagnosis came up: allergic to chlorine.

I always thought chlorine was good because it killed bacteria and prevented diseases in 98% of America's water supply. What I didn't know was that in some areas the levels of chlorine in our water are too high.

Unfortunately, I was exposed to chlorine both when I drank chlorinated tap water and when I showered, since it's fat-soluble and readily absorbed through skin. I also found out that the Environmental Defense Fund lists chlorine as a suspected toxicant for blood, liver, kidney, nerve tissue, respiration, and skin; then classifies the chemical as "more hazardous than most in 3 out of 5 systems."

My doctor told me to:

• limit tub or shower time to a few minutes to reduce chemical absorption rates
• drink only filtered or purified water and use it for cooking
• leave water standing open (outside only) in a pan or bowl for 24 hours -- it allows chlorine and chloroform to evaporte
• use filters on water taps and special filtering shower heads in the bathtub or shower stall
• use a ventilating fan in the bathroom to reduce air concentrations of chloroform when showering or bathing
• avoid swimming pools and jaccuzzi altogether

I have always been allergic to chlorine but didn't know about it until I got pregnant. After that I learned almost more about quality of the water in my area than I ever wanted to know. Pregnant women should be particularly concerned about reducing their exposure to chlorine, chloroform, and other trihalomethanes, as these substances cross the placental barrier.

Are there viable alternatives for chlorine purification of potable water?

Yes there are. I have researched number of companies specializing in water treatment systems until I found one that put a lot of money into water purification systems. Today I have a water filter not only in my kitchen but a showerhead in my bathroom so that when I take a shower in the morning, I'm not exposing my especially upper body to the chlorine shock. By the way, the rash and morning sneezing went away almost immediately after I stopped exposing my body to chlorine and other byproducts found in every home's tap water.

Copyright ©1999 Nadia Johnson