Many countries, including the US, have implemented policies to monitor and control hazardous chemicals in tap water. In the US, the EPA has established legally mandated standards for various contaminants in drinking water, as well as other substances that can cause skin irritation and hair problems. Each year, your local water supplier is required to release a Consumer Confidence Report, which can be easily accessed through the EPA’s public database. This report provides information on the quality of your local tap water, including any levels of concern. Rest assured that if any contaminants exceed the acceptable limits, your local authorities will be notified.
If you’re concerned about lead, one simple way to reduce your risk is to let your tap water run for a few minutes before using it. This helps eliminate dangerous levels of lead that may accumulate overnight in your home’s pipes.
Lead and chlorine in drinking water
Even if your tap water smells and tastes good, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is free of harmful chemicals. Water contaminants can fall into different categories, but the main concerns for your shower water are toxic metals, chlorine, and the byproducts of chlorine and other chemicals. All of these can negatively impact your bathroom experience.
Arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury are among the main toxic metals that can be present in water. These metals have been identified by the World Health Organization as being of great concern to health.
Lead from damaged pipes can contaminate drinking water and cause various problems.
Lead is often considered a significant pollutant. Even if your tap water is clean, it can slowly corrode the plumbing in your home, leading to the leaching of toxic lead into the water supply. Children are particularly vulnerable, as they may absorb up to 50% of their lead intake from drinking water. The World Health Organization reports that even at low levels, exposure to lead can cause irreversible neurological damage. This is why water quality should always be a concern.
Another major issue is chlorine, which is widely used as a disinfectant in drinking water. The by-products of chlorine reacting with natural substances in the water can create harmful chemicals known as THMs. One example of a THM is chloroform, and high concentrations of THMs are classified as carcinogens.
A study found that people absorb more THMs during a 10-minute hot shower than from drinking a liter of water. If you’re concerned about this, using a shower filter that effectively removes chlorine can be beneficial.
