Millions of people try to quit smoking, exercise more, and eat healthier each year. Unbeknownst to many, however, there is a lesser-known danger–drinking water. Unfortunately, tap and many bottled waters contain contaminants that slowly poison the body. Since few people recognize them as culprits, however, they may not have fingers pointed at them when someone is sickened or develops a long-term condition. There are many contaminants of which a person should be aware, but here are four of the most common:

1. Lead: Lead is a real problem in drinking water in many municipalities. It is most dangerous for babies and small children, but it can cause problems for people of all ages. When children are exposed to lead in drinking water, they may be vulnerable to both mental and physical delays. Children who are exposed to lead in this manner may have learning disabilities as well, and the severity of the learning disability may depend on the amount and length of the lead exposure. In adults, the most likely effects of lead in drinking water are kidney conditions and high blood pressure.

2. Chlorine: Most people are well aware that chlorine is used as a disinfectant in drinking water. Without a doubt, it is useful for this job. Unfortunately, it is just not good for the health. On the minor side of things, chlorine may contribute to allergic reactions, digestive tract discomfort, and even irritation of the mucus membranes. In contrast, its more serious effects may include cancer. Chlorine reacts with organic matter in water and creates trihalomethanes, which have the potential to cause cancer and other serious medical conditions.

3. Arsenic: When many people think of arsenic, they think of old movies in which the odorless, tasteless element was used as a poison. Who would think it could turn up in drinking water? Unfortunately, however, it does and may be slowly poisoning millions of people. Among its potential effects are damage to the skin cells and conditions that affect the circulatory system. After long-term exposure, a person may even have an increased cancer risk.

4. Cryptosporidium: Most people would gag at the thought of ingesting someone else’s fecal matter, but that’s exactly what may happen with ineffectively treated drinking water. Cryptosporidium is a parasite that makes its way into drinking water from both human and animal waste. It causes a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping. It may also cause headaches and a low-grade fever.

Tap water is just not as safe as many people imagine, and most bottled waters aren’t much better. You don’t have to play roulette with your health, however. A multi-stage, carbon-based water filtration system can deliver water that is free of most contaminants.

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There are countless drinking water contamination causes. Some of the things that contaminate our water get there because of mistakes people make in handling hazardous substances. Others may make their way into water because of natural occurrences that are pretty much beyond human control. There are also some contaminants that make their way into drinking water because of the processes we use to treat it. Read on to learn about three things that cause contamination:

Sewage: No one likes to think about sewage making its way into the water we drink. Unfortunately, it is a possibility that people have to consider. Too often, sewage treatment facilities are overtaxed and have trouble keeping up with processing demands. Some are simply in poor shape. The result can be accidental spillage that sends bacteria and other pathogens into water sources.

Pesticides, Herbicides, and Fertilizers: Scientists have done a great job of coming up with concoctions for dealing with just about every type of pest and growing problem. There are chemicals that get rid of bugs inside the home as well as those used to kill pests in the garden. There are chemicals designed to help keep plants healthy, growing, and disease-free as well. The problem is these chemicals make their way into our water. Some of them cause disease in humans, such as cancer, while others affect plant life and animals that rely on water just as much as we do.

Pharmaceuticals: Many people take the easy route to disposing of medications, without really giving it much thought. If there’s a prescription or over-the-counter drug they don’t need, they may go ahead and just flush it down the toilet or rinse it down the drain. Unfortunately, these drugs don’t simply disappear. They make their way into the water supply and may lead to health consequences for those who drink unfiltered tap water.

While there’s little you can do about water contamination that’s already happened, you do have options when it comes to taking unsafe water into your body. If you install a quality water filter in your home, you can drink tap water without worrying about the effect it may have on your health.

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