Answer:

To find out whether your water is contaminated with lead, you can have the water tested by a lead evaluation service certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or by an EPA-approved state lead program. Call your local health department or either of the following numbers to get started:

EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-800-426-4791
National Lead Information Center 1-800-LEAD-FYI

Why should you test your water? Even if your water is purified by your water company, by the time it comes through your faucet, it may have accumulated lead from the pipes or solder. Don’t just wonder what’s in your water, get it tested!

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The United States has one of the safest water supplies in the world, but across the country, groundwater is increasingly sullied by pesticides, fertilizers, industrial chemicals, septic systems and even personal care products and pharmaceuticals. That’s why it’s crucial to protect our water at the source. Click to read more details about toxic contaminants found in water.

Don’t just wonder what’s in your water. You should get your water tested because even if your water is treated by your water company, by the time it comes through your faucet, it may have accumulated bacteria and lead from the pipes through which it is carried.

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Bottled water may not always be what it seems. It may actually be less clean than tap water since bottled water regulations are weaker than tap water regulations. Additionally, manufacturing, distributing and disposing of plastic bottles creates an enormous amount of pollution contaminating our water sources even more . Your alternatives include buying a good water filter and bottling your own water.

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After you test your water, if you find that the levels of contaminants are high, you may want to invest in a water filter. Remember, though, that in order for the filter to be effective you’ll have to change filters and maintain the system, otherwise it can actually result in higher levels of contamination. There are many additional factors to consider; browse our Water FAQ section for more information. Follow these tips and more to ensure safe drinking water for your family.

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Chlorine is added to most water supplies to kill bacteria. However, when it reacts with organic matter (like leaves), it produces harmful trihalomethanes or THMs. THMs are chemicals that studies have shown to be linked to an increased risk of miscarriage, bladder and rectal cancers, and birth defects in people who have been exposed to it. High levels of THMs may increase the risk of miscarriage.

Filtration is one way of avoiding cholrine and THMs. Carbon-activated water filters place on showerheads and faucets remove THMs – distillers do not removed THMs. You can also dissipate THMs from tap water by leaving it in an open container in the refrigerator for a few hours, or boiling it for one minute. (Warning: If you have lead contaminated water, boiling will increase the contamination levels.) Installing a water filter is a cheap and effective way to obtain clean water even compared to bottled water that is less regulated than tap water. According to National Sanitation Federation, NSF Standard 42 is used on filters that can remove contaminants that reduce aesthetic quality (taste, smell, color), such as aluminum, chlorine, iron and sediment. NSF Standard 53 is the most comprehensive and used for filters that remove most pesticides, VOCs, cysts, fluoride, most heavy metals and THMs.

Answer:

Fluoride is added to nearly two-thirds of U.S. municipal drinking water supplies to fight tooth decay. High concentrations of fluoride can lead to sever bone and dental problems, particularly in people with kidney disease. Overexposure of fluoride in children has been linked to dental fluorosis, in which teeth are permanently stained or pitted. Excessive fluoride ingestion may also cause bone fragility and tenderness. Be careful when purchasing some beverages and infant formulas, which are made with fluoridated water.

Avoid extra fluoride by purchasing non-fluoridated toothpaste to avoid. Also invest in a National Sanitation Foundation evaluated filter, NSF Standard 53 is the most comprehensive and used for filters that remove most pesticides, VOCs, cysts, fluoride, most heavy metals and THMs. Test your tap water for lead and chemicals by sending samples to an EPA-certified laboratory, such as Suburban Water Testing Lab or National Testing Labs. You can purchase water test kits for about $100 to $150 where your tap water samples can be sent to the laboratory to check water quality.