BY HANNAH COBB, CNHP
We live in a world where we are constantly exposed to environmental toxicities coming from the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. While we cannot live totally sheltered from toxins, we can greatly reduce our exposure by implementing a few lifestyle changes. Contaminants in our tap water have long been an issue of concern.
Most American families are unknowingly consuming a chemical cocktail while they drink their tap water. The state of our drinking water is devastating, to say the least. We cannot rely on governmental agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate the safety of the water we consume on a daily basis.
Understanding Our Faulty Safety System
The EPA has very loose standards when it comes to toxins found in our drinking water, as well as the maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) deemed fit for each of the contaminants.
The Safe Drinking Water Act, established in 1974, was designed to protect our water systems giving the EPA authorization to set minimum standards for tap water safety.
This faulty system is severely outdated and does the American people no justice. For example, the latest action taken by the EPA was in 2000 when they adjusted the MCL for uranium standards in community water systems.
There are many common contaminants found in tap water that are completely unregulated by the EPA, such as hexavalent chromium. This toxicant gained some popularity when environmental activist Erin Brockovich filed a lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) which was found guilty of contaminating the drinking water of Hinkley, California.
PG&E had used hexavalent chromium between 1952 and 1966 in a cooling tower system at the Hinkley compressor station to fight corrosion. The waste water was then subsequently dumped into unlined ponds on the property, which contaminated ground wa-ter for two square miles around the station.
According to research from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), hexavalent chromium levels exceed safe limits in fifty states, with the highest levels detected in Norman, OK. Levels were detected at 39.3 ppb, which is 1,967x’s more than the safe limit of 0.02 ppb.
Hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen and is also damaging to the liver and reproductive system. Its carcinogenic effects were observed in a study conducted in a Chinese province which reported higher mortality rates of lung and stomach cancers in villages where the water was contaminated with hexavalent chromium (see here).
Another study showed the impact of exposure to hexavalent chromium on the male reproductive system. It was observed that males who were exposed through their occupation experienced hindered sperm health and production (see here).
Hexavalent chromium isn’t the only water contaminant of concern. Other items such as heavy metals, parasites, bacteria, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides are commonly found in tap water as well.
[ED. NOTE: Independent health is a cornerstone of liberty and independent thinking. To that end, MIA is thrilled to release this first article in our new “Foundations of Health” series.]
– McAlvany Intelligence Advisor
