Is Chlorinated Drinking Water Safe?

Here's What The Experts Have To Say:

"The drinking of chlorinated water has finally been officially linked to an increased incidence of colon cancer. An epidemiologist at Oak Ridge Associated Universities completed a study of colon cancer victims and non-cancer patients and concluded that the drinking of chlorinated water for 15 years or more was conducive to a high rate of colon cancer."

Health Freedom News, January/February 1987

"Long-term drinking of chlorinated water appears to increase a person's risk of developing bladder cancer as much as 80%," according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Some 45,000 Americans are diagnosed every year with bladder cancer.

St. Paul Dispatch & Pioneer Press, December 17, 1987

"Although concentrations of these carcinogens are low...it is precisely these low levels which cancer scientists believe are responsible for the majority of human cancers in the United States." Report Issued By The Environmental Defense Fund

"Chlorine itself is not believed to be the problem. Scientists suspect that the actual cause of the bladder cancers is a group of chemicals that form as result of reactions between the chlorine and natural substances and pollutants in the water." (organic matter such as leaves and twigs.)

St. Paul Dispatch & Pioneer Press, December 17, 1987

Dr. Herbert Schwartz of Cumberland County College in Vineman, N.J. says: "Chlorine has so many dangers it should be banned. Putting chlorine in the water supply is like starting a time bomb. Cancer, heart trouble, premature senility, both mental and physical, are conditions attributable to chlorine treated water supplies. It is making us grow old before our time by producing symptoms of aging such as hardening of the arteries."

Chlorine has been hailed as the saviour against cholera and various other water-borne diseases; and rightfully so. Its disinfectant qualities and economy of production have allowed communities and whole cities to grow and prosper by providing disease-free tap water to homes and industry. Some people have grown-up on tap water, and believe the taste of chlorine signifies purity and safety. Well, not necessarily so.

Chlorine is, essentially, bleach. And what comes out of most municipally delivered faucets is, quite actually, a mild bleach solution. Is it healthy to drink bleach? Does your body require any certain amount of chlorine to remain healthy? Feel free to consult a physician on that somewhat rhetorical question.

Consider some well-known attributes of chlorine. Let's say, "the dark side" of the saviour. A PhD chemist friend put it this way: "If I were assigned to go into a lab and produce a menu of known carcinogens (cancer-causing agents), the first thing I would do would be to grab-up a cylinder of chlorine and start bubbling it through some water that contains naturally occuring organic acids (humic and fumic acids -- as are found in all natural bodies of water like rivers, lakes, reservoirs, etc.)."

Note the "chloro" part in the following: trichlorophosphate (TCP) and the trihalomethane group (THMs) which includes chloroform. You may recognize these known bad guys by the legally imposed requirement of your municipality to periodically make report to the public (newspaper) on the levels of these known or highly suspected carcinogens in the tap water being produced. There are others, but those are popularly known. And they're all chlorine by-products.

Another problem directly related to chlorine disinfection are the aesthetic properties imparted when chlorine is combined with organic compounds that are natural to open bodies of water (surface water). This regards the "taste and odor" problems many municipalities experience during certain times of the year (especially in four-season latitudes) which draw their water supply from surface water. Surface water includes ponds, lakes, reservoirs, rivers, etc., as opposed to underground sources (wells, aquifers). Bubble chlorine through humic and fumic acids common to surface water supplies and you produce the "fishy" or "musty" odors and tastes so common in the spring and fall, when the lake "turns-over."

The good news is, you don't have to drink it anymore. The most practical and efficient method for removing chlorine, chlorine by-products, and taste and odor problems, is to filter it with granular activated carbon (GAC) or other suitable chemical-removing filter media, such as KDF.

The municipalities are stuck. Environmental and public safety laws require most to maintain a chlorine residual throughout the entire water main delivery system. This is to retain some disinfecting properties in the event of groundwater infiltration and other contaminations. Barking at your local water company or water department about the taste and odor will accomplish nothing. Chances are, they're doing their best, and meeting the laws. The most practical solution to the problem is to take it back out at the "point of use" (POU) -- your own home or office.

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Do you feel scared after reading the above article? I sure am!



My whole life, I only know that Singapore's chlorinated tap water is safe for drinking and I always thought those who installed filtration system in their homes are silly and wasteful.



I will be looking into the different brands available in Singapore.

I sure hope it is not too late for my family.

Make your own informed decision. More information at:

http://www.pure-earth.com/chlorine.html
http://www.katking.com/Water/WaterFilter/Chlorine.htm

Organic Food

Does organic food really makes a difference in terms of health? It is still being debated but in reality, consumers choose organic foods because they want to lower their exposure to pesticides.

For that reason, I am going organic but it is a hassle just to drive the distance to get the produce. Driving equals pollution! Also with runaway inflation, it is taxing on the pocket. Ideally, grow organic myself. Hmmm, would need at least 2 more years I reckon before I can embark on this organic project.

Anyway, did some reading on the topic and found something interesting:

Some fruits and vegetables don't absorb pesticides, so save yourself some money by buying non-organic versions.

Therefore, it makes sense to know which conventionally grown foods are good enough because they are low in pesticide residue. Some examples are onions, mangoes, asparagus, broccoli and eggplant.

Focus your organic dollars where it counts - on foods that absorb lots of pesticides when grown conventionally, typically peaches, strawberries, capsicums, celery and lettuce.

Do you know that on a scale of 1 to 100, peaches rated a 100 pesticide load while apples rated 96. Onions and avocados rated 1 each.

Whatever your choice, organic or not, reduce your exposure to pesticides by rinsing fresh produce. Peeling helps but valuable nutrients may be lost. Best option is to eat a varied diet and choose organic when possible.

You can check out the list of 43 fruits and vegetables tested by the Environmental Working Group on its website, http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php.

Amway LOC Products

I have been advocating and doing my part to save mother Earth. Recycling 80% of my waste, vermicomposting, reusing of used products and reducing usage of chemicals. The frequency of freak weather around the whole couldn't go unnotice. If you love your world, please do something to save it. Respect the environment.

Been slowly phasing in my household cleaning products with Amway. Was looking for an organic and environmentally product, not only to help save Earth but also my family. Wanted to totally eliminate usage of chemicals at home. A friend recommended Amway and did research on it as well as talking to people who are using it. Positive feedbacks and reviews.

Tried the Dish Drop sample. Like it. Gentle on the hands and clean well. Considering it is organic and biodegradable, it is not much more expensive than any housebrands. Even uses it for washing fruits and vegetables. Joined my friend as distributor since she will be going away soon and I need a supplier. Why not myself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=0oWm4x3Xjbg

The kitchen cleaner works wonders. Easily removes years of stains from my oven and stove. Bonus: No rinsing required! Saves me time and energy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=7LJBA_YK8yo

A good friend tried it out too as his maid's hands were raw and bleeding from the harsh chemicals of other cleaning products. After 3 months, her hands are almost healed. He tried the floor cleaner before I did. His feedback is that the floor is shinier and fewer insects in his house. Agreed with his observation after trying it out myself.

After viewing this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=pt-4I2-BWFI , Pursue Disinfectant will be the next item I am using.

Overall, am convince of Amways household products range.

Delphine Vacuum Cleaner

My sister bought the Delphine Vacuum Cleaner and recommended me to have the demonstration. The company called to arrange for a demo with a free pot for the trouble. I agreed as I was curious with my sister's purchase. However, I warned the company that I will not be buying.

Though I was not in the least impressed with the demonstration, I was impressed with what the product can do - cleaning of the mattress. You won't believe how much dust and presumably dustmites was floating in the water. Like it that it is a German brand but my other half has not heard of the brand before.

Anyway, I didn't buy the product nor signed up any cleaning contract. The demonstrator was really disappointed. The price tag of about S$3500 is too big a sum to commit on the spot without doing some research.

Did not like what I read about the company's culture from the internet but most importantly, there are  other similar products which cost only a fraction.

A reliable brand I like is Karcher. Karcher DS5600 not only works like Delphine, it uses HEPA filter post water filtration. The icing on the cake: it cost only S$698 in Courts.

Another model is Karcher SV1902, which incorporates a steamer. I own a Karcher steamer and the only downside is that I need to mop up after steaming as the equipment does not vacuum up the moisture, while SV1902 does. This cost $1398 in DIY.

Before buying, I borrowed my cousin's Delphin and I must say it does reduce the dust in the house.

Decision: Would go with Karcher SV1902. More features for less dollar.