Wikipedia states, Chlorine is usually used (in the form of hypochlorous acid) to kill bacteria and other microbes in drinking water supplies and public swimming pools. In most private swimming pools chlorine itself is not used, but rather sodium hypochlorite, formed from chlorine and sodium hydroxide, or solid tablets of chlorinated isocyanurates. Chlorine is used to disinfect most public water supplies in the United States; even small water supplies are now routinely chlorinated.[1] According to Jacqueline Brazin in her report on Chlorine & Its Consequences, the U.S. Department of Treasury called for all water to be disinfected with chlorine by 1918.[2]
Chlorine does play an important role in keeping our water free from harmful bacteria and germs- in turn, preventing the widespread of disease, and a clean water supply for most homes. However, once our water has been made “safe”, how does the residual chlorine affect our bodies? The EPA has stated that every household in the United States has elevated levels of chloroform in the air due to chlorine released from showering water, and that tap water often contains at least as much -if not more- chlorine than is recommended for use in swimming pools!
It has been found that more chlorine enters the body through dermal (skin) absorption and inhalation while showering than through drinking tap water, partly because our pores widen when exposed to heat or warmth- such as the warm water in a shower. This, unfortunately, leaves us open to absorbing the chlorine through our pores, in addition to breathing it in through the steam that fills the bathroom. In fact, chemicals in shower water vaporize at a much faster rate than the actual water, increasing the concentration of chemicals in the steam. Inhaled chemicals make their way into our bloodstream much more quickly than if they were ingested, completely bypassing our “natural filtration system” – our digestive tract!
All that aside, it is the chlorine in the shower water that causes your hair and skin to dry out, which causes you to spend more money on body lotions and hair conditioners. It can also cause irritations and rashes on sensitive skin. Chlorine has even been suspected as a contributing cause of breast cancer. In fact, women suffering from breast cancer are all found to have 50-60% more chlorine in their breast tissue than healthy women![3] Now, I know what you’re thinking, ”I’m never showering again!”, but let’s not go that far yet. There are things you can do to protect yourself and your family from overexposure to chlorine through showering.
Install a Shower Filter
Using a shower filter is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce harmful exposure to chlorine and other chemicals. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to install, cheap to maintain and remove up to 99% of chlorine in the shower water. There is very little effect on the water pressure; in some cases it may even help your water flow.
Monitor the Chlorine levels in your Water
Using a Digital Chlorine Meter allows you to monitor the amounts of chlorine in your shower water, and lets you know when it’s time to change the cartridge in your shower filter. Most meters are small, compact, low cost and easy to use. They measure chlorine in ppm (parts per million), which will help you keep your shower water in a safe range (under 1 ppm).
Showering in filtered water results in greater respiratory health by reducing the risk of asthma and bronchitis from chlorine inhalation - children benefit most from this small change. It also results in better air quality throughout the house, making for an all-around healthier home environment.
Without the drying effects of chlorine, skin becomes softer, healthier, and younger-looking - and because your hair and skin area able to preserve their natural moisturizing oils, you will, ultimately, need less body lotion and hair conditioner. All in all, making these changes will have you saving your money and your health, just by changing your household showerhead!
More information is available on shower filters, digital chlorine meters, and chlorine and its effect on your health at our website: www.lovestreetlivingfoods.com.
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