Your Toxic Drinking Water

Toxic chlorine is everywhere in today`s society. A little-known fact is that it is present in most municipal water systems in greater amounts during warmer weather, mostly because of the greater likelihood of contamination by microorganisms that thrive in warm wet climates. Levels of chlorine and chloramine found in water can vary from day to day. The toxin chloramine is produced when a municipality injects both chlorine and ammonia simultaneously into the water supply. This is done to reduce the free chlorine`s ability to combine with organic matter in the water, and thereby produce potentially harmful trihalomethanes. Because chloramine has less of an effect on water than free chlorine does, a higher concentration of chlorine is usually required to get the same kill rate that chloramine does. One benefit of chloramine (if you can call it that) is that it does not produce the gaseous vapors like that which you would find with chlorine.

The experimental use of the toxin chlorine in drinking water began way back in the 1890`s, at that time it was used to combat water-borne diseases such as Typhoid and Cholera. Today however, we know more about chlorine and why it is so important to remove it from the water we drink, cook with, or that we shower in. Chlorine is a known poison and the safety and effect of drinking this poison over time influences our health in different ways. We now know that chlorine reacts with water-borne decaying organic matter like leaves, bark and sediment and creates a family of other chlorinated organic compounds which can be even more toxic!

When you shower or bathe in chlorinated water, the pores of your skin open up which allows the chlorinated water to be easily absorbed. Also, the chlorine steam that is produced when taking a shower will enter your lungs. What most people don`t know is that they can actually receive a higher dose of chlorine during a shower than they can just by drinking the same water they are showering with. Chlorinated water that comes in contact with the skin can also cause or worsen skin irritations and rashes. Chlorine dries the skin, it can irritate the eyes leaving them red, itchy and burning, and inhaling the steam into the nasal passages can aggravate the sinuses and lungs as well.

So, how can you prevent this kind of exposure to chlorine when taking a shower? A great device that has been utilized for this purpose is called a chlorine shower filter. This kind of filter assists us in living a healthier lifestyle by reducing the amount of free chlorine that comes into direct contact with our skin. One filter in particular found in the Rainshow`r series of dechlorinating shower filters, was specifically designed to effectively and efficiently remove chlorine AND chloramine from shower water. The test results on this filter that were provided by an independent laboratory, certified that the Rainshow`r dechlorinating shower filter will consistently remove 90% of the free chlorine from shower water. This one action will result in softer more manageable hair, with less fading of color (if your hair is color treated) and will provide healthier younger looking skin. This filter is especially effective for or used by chlorine sensitive people, particularly small children, the elderly and sufferers of asthma or emphysema. Ten minutes of exposure with about 600 ppm can be dangerous, and similarly it has been suggested that regularly taking hot showers with chlorinated water could also pose a serious health risk.

KDF dechlorinating shower filters are limited to two types of acceptable media for potable water use: These two types of filters are GAC (granular activated carbon) and KDF (atomized brass). GAC filters are not recommended for hot water use, mainly because of the media (the material filtering the water) is being continuously exposed to temperatures of 105 degrees F or more. At these elevated temperatures some of the contaminants absorbed by the carbon can slough off and then re-enter the water. GAC filters are highly absorbent, and will become saturated after being exposed to just a few hundred of gallons versus thousands of gallons with a KDF filter, which requires less frequent replacement.

KDF filters are comprised of fifty percent copper and fifty percent zinc. This provides a better chlorine removal system by reversing the electrochemical process. This filter works because copper and zinc are dissimilar metals. The tension between these metals generates a mild electrical current that ranges between 900 and 1100 millivolts of electricity as water passes through the filter. This is enough electricity to generate a charge which re-establishes the original electrolytic environment which will create `free` chlorine. This free chlorine will now be able to recombine with a metal ion (normally zinc) to form a soluble zinc chloride which washes out of the filter and is harmless to humans. The KDF filter is also bacteriostatic, and will reduce and even eliminate fungus and mildew build up in the shower enclosure!

 A filter such as the KDF shower filter will last approximately nine to eighteen months when used by a family of four. Depending on its use rate the filter may last even longer. As to the filter`s longevity any odor of chlorine in your shower water, or if you notice any reduced level of flow, these are indications that the filter needs to be changed.

Different and better again is the Radiant Wash Shower Filter. This filter effectively removes both chlorine AND chloramine.
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When performing on-site tests for free chlorine in any environment, it is recommended that you use what is known as the amperometric filtration test method because of its accuracy. Note: An OTO test such as the ones used for testing chlorine in swimming pool water will not provide accurate test results for free chlorine in shower water.