Who is Looking After Our Kids?
CHAPTER 7
Water Pollution
It was largely in the 1970s and early 1980s that the extensive industrial pollution of water supplies was disclosed and that corrective efforts began to take place. Examples included the heavy contamination of Great Lakes areas with mercury and deadly polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), dioxins in Love Canal at Niagara Falls, and leakage from underground gasoline storage tanks. (1)
In spite of attempted corrective measures, chemical water pollution remains a widespread problem. Traces of numerous volatile organic chlorinated compounds are commonly present. (2) Nitrates, which can be dangerous for babies, have been found to be the number one contaminant in Pennsylvania, originating from fertilizers in farming areas. (3)
Plumbing systems may also be the source of chemicals in drinking water. Recently, lead in solder has been limited to trace amounts and is not considered a problem in new installations, but in older systems, solder may be a source of lead. Plastic pipe is now used more frequently because of lower cost. These polybutylene or polyvinyl chloride pipes may give off toxic gases. The solvents and glues used with plastic lines may also be problematic. (4)
Water testing
Commercial testing of drinking water can also be done in many laboratories, but it is important to know just which chemicals to select for testing, as the pollutants could number in the hundreds, making comprehensive testing extremely expensive.
Local or State Health Boards often provide some testing at no charge, or reasonable cost, if there is medical evidence of health risk. Usually, they will do health screening for the most likely pollutants such as formaldehyde, petrochemicals, lead, and organic compounds. If additional tests are needed, the telephone directory under Laboratories or Board of Health may provide a list of commercial laboratories.
Alternative solutions
The first solution, one which many families undertake, is to purchase high quality spring water in glass bottles for drinking or cooking. The purity of the water should be checked, for not all commercial suppliers of bottled water are from genuine, unpolluted spring sources.
Second, commercial water Filters are now available at reasonable cost. These can be attached to the kitchen faucet for water used for drinking and cooking.
Third, water can be brought to a boil and then allowed to stand and cool overnight in an open pan or jar. This will drive out the volatile chemicals but will not eliminate metals such as lead or the fluoride from water fluoridation.
References
1. Beasely J. Swift JJ. The Kellogg Report. Annondale- On Hudson, NY: The Institute of Health Policy and Practice, Bard College Center. 1989:185-186.
2. Wallace LA, et al. The TEAM study: personal exposures to toxic substances in air, drinking water, and breath of 400 residents of New Jersey. North Carolina, and North Dakota. Environm. Research. 1987;43: 290-307.
3. Dore C. Water on tap gets a bad rap. The Daily Intelligencer, Doylestown, PA February 23, 1996.
4. Bower J. The Healthy House. New York, NY: Lyle Stuart. 1989:307 309.