Ask Charles Strand "The Water Doctor" A Question
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Your questions are answered by Aquasana's "water doctor", Charles Strand. Founder and President of Sun Water Systems, Inc., and one of the leading experts on the need for and benefits of healthy water.
QUESTION
Do the Aquasana products remove fluoride?
ANSWER
Both the AQ-4000 and the EQ-300 will reduce fluoride by 40-60%. This is accomplished with the activated coconut shell carbon. Activated carbon will remove 2 of the 4 fluorine isotopes, which will typically lower fluoride levels to below .5 ppm.
QUESTION
Jennifer Bauldorf, Daytona Beach, FL asks: How do you know if you need a water filter?
ANSWER
Virtually everyone will benefit from a home water filtration system. If all that was in your tap water was chlorine, and chlorine is in everyone's water, there are significant health and cosmetic benefits to using chlorine-free water. Any child who has a goldfish knows that chlorine can kill. It's sole purpose as a pesticide is to kill living cells and organisms. When we consume chlorine at any level, it kills some part of us. It's recently been linked to cancer, heart disease, birth defects and many serious illnesses. Unfortunately, chlorine is not the only harmful substance in tap water. Over 90% of all U.S. water systems contain traces of at least 10 synthetic chemicals and lead. A recent Ralph Nader report stated that "after reviewing over 10,000 pages of EPA documents acquired through the Freedom of Information Act... [it was found that] over 2,300 chemicals that can cause cancer have been detected in U.S. tap water." Water utilities test for only about 75. No one knows for sure the extent of contamination. The risk is real and the solution is so easy, quality in-home water filtration.
QUESTION
Lynn Barringer asks: Are shower filters really as important as drinking water filters?
ANSWER
In my opinion, they are more important! During a 10-minute shower your body will take on 10 to 50 times the level of water-borne chemicals than from drinking a glass of the same water. During a warm shower, the pores of the skin open up and absorb chlorine and other chemicals at an accelerated rate. Even worse, the steam you inhale is far more contaminated than the water itself due to the fact that synthetic chemicals, including chlorine, vaporize much faster than water. While over 96% of the water that comes out of your shower head goes down the drain, almost all of the chemicals vaporize into the air we breathe before the water hits the ground, making the steam more concentrated with chemicals. Also, inhaled chemicals go directly into the blood-stream and have magnified adverse effects. But if the only benefits to a shower filter were cosmetic, it would still be a must-have in my book. Showering in purified water offers amazing benefits for skin and hair. Anyone who has ever swum in a chlorinated pool knows how chlorine dries out your skin and hair. The thing most people don't realize is that there is typically more chlorine in tap water than in a swimming pool! We have always sold more shower filters than anything. It's one of those products that once you use it you'll never do without, and you feel compelled to tell others, like seeing a great movie for the first time!
QUESTION
Amanda Powers asks: How much chlorine in tap water is too much?
ANSWER
In my opinion, any chlorine in our drinking water is too much; however, the EPA guidelines allow up to 4 parts per million (ppm) in municipal tap water. I find this alarming, since a standard pool test kit shows that levels above 3 ppm are not safe to swim in! I think common sense would tell us that if it is not safe to swim in, it most likely is not safe to drink. With a minimum amount of effort, especially on the Internet, one can find that the evidence that chlorine is linked to cancer, heart disease and many other health problems is overwhelming. We need chlorine in water to kill bacteria, but it should be removed prior to use.
QUESTION
Dr. Greg Novac asks: Is filtered water better than distilled water or water filtered by reverse osmosis?
ANSWER
While there are good arguments on both sides of this debate, the more recent thoughts are in favor of filtered water. From a practical standpoint, the human body was designed to run on water that exists naturally on the planet, water that contains traces of inorganic minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium. Nowhere on Earth does demineralized water occur naturally. Distillation and R.O. systems produce de-mineralized water with an acidic pH. Many recent reports claim that "prolonged consumption of distilled or demineralized water can only lead to some form of mineral deficiency". Water by nature has to balance itself; when the minerals are stripped from water pH drops and the water becomes acidic. It then seeks to balance itself (a basic law of nature) by taking on minerals, primarily calcium. If we consume demineralized water, it will actually pull minerals from the body with which to balance itself. This has been demonstrated and reported in many recent books and studies. My booklet "All About Water" refers to several of these books and studies. Our filter system was intentionally designed to filter out harmful contaminants and to allow the natural minerals to remain, and it is my strong belief that this is the healthiest water.
QUESTION
Pat Welsh, Boca Raton FL, asks: How long has the Aquasana system been out?
ANSWER
We first introduced the Aquasana Drinking Water System in December of 1999 under an exclusive contract with a large nutritional products company. The system sold initially for $199.95 and was a good value at that price. We have sold millions of our products under our "private label" and still do. The Aquasana line is our best product, and we recently chose to market it directly to consumers in order to offer better pricing. By selling factory direct, we have cut our retail prices in half! Our hope is that we can continue to expand our direct marketing efforts and offer these products at discount prices directly to people like you, so tell your friends! We also still provide these products under private label to a select group of health and nutrition companies that are willing to market them at comparable prices and want the best!
QUESTION
Jeff Meehan, Long Island, NY, asks: We use the Brita water pitcher at home and usually drink bottled water when we're not at home. Can you give an unbiased comment?
ANSWER
Probably not! I'm pretty proud of our products, but I'll try. First let me say that I feel that there are no "bad" water filter products, any filter is better than no filter. Brita is the best-selling system in the world currently (we're gaining fast), and it does improve the quality of water. These types of pour-through filters are limited in performance, primarily due to size. They are not designed to perform at the same level as our products, a simple comparison of the Performance Data Sheets that come with theirs and ours shows. The real question is why pay more to get less? While these pitcher filters are less expensive initially, they cost considerably more to use, about 22 cents a gallon compared to 9 cents a gallon for Aquasana, and they simply don't work as well! As for bottled water, since U.S. regulations on bottled water are so weak, the quality is at best unknown. With a good home water system, you can fill your own bottles and be sure of the quality. Occasionally, bottled water is the only available choice. When this happens, I prefer the European brands because their purity standards are much stricter. I hope this helps!
QUESTION
Debra Langley, Detroit, MI, asks: If chlorine in our water is so unhealthy, why do they use it?
ANSWER
I've always wondered who "they" are. In this case it should be "we". Our public water utilities are governed by federal agencies, which are governed by us. While chlorine and its byproducts are known to have significant adverse health effects on humans, we choose it over water borne disease outbreaks like typhoid and cholera that plagued most countries prior to chlorines introduction in the late 1800s. We don't use chlorine because it's the most effective means of disinfecting water, we use it because it's the cheapest! With all the technology we possess today, we still essentially pour bleach in our drinking water to kill bacteria. There are several more healthful methods of disinfecting public water supplies. Some other countries have turned to alternative methods because of recent findings about chlorine risks. The problem is that they are much more costly and, in reality less practical. The fact that less than 1% of the water supplied to our homes is used for consumption, means it's just not practical to produce "healthy water" from a central supplier. Most people would not be willing to pay the price for alternative disinfection methods, which would more than triple water costs. Logically, the solution is to keep chlorine in our public water systems right up to the point of use and then remove it with home water filtration which in reality is the only way to ensure healthy water. Thanks for your question!
Additional FAQ's
BOTTLE WATER FAQ'S
(NRDC)
1. Isn't bottled water safer than tap water?
No, not necessarily. NRDC conducted a four-year review of the bottled water industry and the safety standards that govern it, including a comparison of national bottled water rules with national tap water rules, and independent testing of over 1,000 bottles of water. Our conclusion is that there is no assurance that just because water comes out of a bottle it is any cleaner or safer than water from the tap. And in fact, an estimated 25 percent or more of bottled water is really just tap water in a bottle -- sometimes further treated, sometimes not.
2. Is bottled water actually unsafe?
Most bottled water appears to be safe. Of the bottles we tested, the majority proved to be high quality and relatively free of contaminants. The quality of some brands was spotty, however, and such products may pose a health risk, primarily for people with weakened immune systems (such as the frail elderly, some infants, transplant and cancer patients, or people with HIV/AIDS). About 22 percent of the brands we tested contained, in at least one sample, chemical contaminants at levels above strict state health limits. If consumed over a long period of time, some of these contaminants could cause cancer or other health problems.
3. Could the plastic in water bottles pose a health risk?
Recent research suggests that there could be cause for concern, and that the issue should be studied closely. Studies have shown that chemicals called phthalates, which are known to disrupt testosterone and other hormones, can leach into bottled water over time. One study found that water that had been stored for 10 weeks in plastic and in glass bottles contained phthalates, suggesting that the chemicals could be coming from the plastic cap or liner. Although there are regulatory standards limiting phthalates in tap water, there are no legal limits for phthalates in bottled water -- the bottled water industry waged a successful campaign opposing the FDA proposal to set a legal limit for these chemicals.
4. How can I find out where my bottled water comes from?
A few state bottled water programs (e.g., Massachusetts and New York) maintain lists of the sources of bottled water, but many do not. Try calling or writing the bottler to ask what the source is, or call the bottled water program in your state or the state in which the water was bottled to see if they have a record of the source (your state's health or agriculture department is most likely to run the bottled water program). If you choose to buy bottled water and are concerned about its safety, buy brands with a known protected source and ones that make readily available testing and treatment information that shows high water quality.
5. How can I determine if bottled water is really just tap water?
Often it's not easy. First, carefully check the bottle label and even the cap -- if it says "from a municipal source" or "from a community water system" this means it's derived from tap water. Again, you can call the bottler, or the bottled water program in your state or the state where it was packaged.
6. What actions can I take to improve bottled water safety?
Write to your members of Congress, the FDA, and your governor (see below for contact information) and urge them to adopt strict requirements for bottled water safety, labeling, and public disclosure. Specifically, point out to these officials that they should:
set strict limits for contaminants of concern in bottled water, including arsenic, heterotrophic-plate-count bacteria, E. coli and other parasites and pathogens, and synthetic organic chemicals such as "phthalates";
apply the rules to all bottled water whether carbonated or not and whether sold intrastate or interstate; and
require bottlers to display information on their labels about the levels of contaminants of concern found in the water, the water's exact source, how it's been treated, and whether it meets health criteria set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control for killing parasites like cryptosporidium. Members of Congress and governors should also pass legislation providing the resources for the FDA and state regulators to actually enforce the law.
7. How does drinking bottled water affect the environment?
In 2006, the equivalent of 2 billion half-liter bottles of water were shipped to U.S. ports, creating thousands of tons of global warming pollution and other air pollution. In New York City alone, the transportation of bottled water from western Europe released an estimated 3,800 tons of global warming pollution into the atmosphere. In California, 18 million gallons of bottled water were shipped in from Fiji in 2006, producing about 2,500 tons of global warming pollution.
And while the bottles come from far away, most of them end up close to home -- in a landfill. Most bottled water comes in recyclable PET plastic bottles, but only about 13 percent of the bottles we use get recycled. In 2005, 2 million tons of plastic water bottles ended up clogging landfills instead of getting recycled.
8. If I drink tap water should I use a filter and what types of filters are most effective?
The real long-term solution is to make tap water safe for everyone. However, if you know you have a tap water quality or taste problem, or want to take extra precautions, you should purchase filters certified by NSF International (800 NSF-MARK). These filters designate which contaminants they remove, and you can look for one that removes any contaminants of special concern such as cryptosporidium. Such certification is not necessarily a safety guarantee, but it is better than no certification at all. It is critically important that all filters be maintained and replaced at least as often as recommended by the manufacturer, or they might make the problem worse.
9. How can I obtain test results on my tap water?
Under new "right-to-know" provisions in the drinking water law, all tap water suppliers must provide annual water quality reports to their customers. To obtain a copy, call your water provider (the one that sends your water bills).
You also can test your water yourself, though this can be expensive. There are state-certified drinking water laboratories in virtually every state that can test your water. Call your state drinking water program or the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800 426-4791) for a list of contacts. Standard consumer test packages are available through large commercial labs at a relatively reasonable price.
Based on BOTTLED WATER: Pure Drink or Pure Hype? a March 1999 report by the Natural Resources Defense Council.
http://www.nrdc.org/water/drinking/qbw.aspArsenic In Drinking Water
NRDC
1. What are the possible health effects of arsenic in drinking water?
According to a 1999 study by the National Academy of Sciences, arsenic in drinking water causes bladder, lung and skin cancer, and may cause kidney and liver cancer. The study also found that arsenic harms the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as heart and blood vessels, and causes serious skin problems. It also may cause birth defects and reproductive problems.
2. Does it occur often?
NRDC analyzed data compiled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on arsenic in drinking water in 25 states. Our most conservative estimates based on the data indicate that more than 34 million Americans drink tap water supplied by systems containing average levels of arsenic that pose unacceptable cancer risks. We consider it likely that as many as 56 million people in those 25 states have been drinking water with arsenic at unsafe levels -- and that's just the 25 states that reported arsenic information to the EPA.
3. How can I find out whether my drinking water contains arsenic?
First, check the chart, where we've analyzed and summarized data reported to the EPA over an 18-year period. (If your state is one of the 25 that failed to report data to the EPA, it won't appear in the chart -- in that case, just take the next step below.)
Then, contact your local water utility -- it is now required by law to provide a report on all contaminants and toxins found in your local drinking water. If you're not sure who provides your water, try looking in the blue pages in your phone book under "Water" or call your state drinking water program. (You can get the state's number through EPA's drinking water hotline at 1-800-426-4791.) The report from your water utility will contain the most recent test results; however, it won't include averaging over a long period (see the next answer for why averaging matters).
4. How can I interpret the consequences of the level of arsenic in my drinking water?
While NRDC can't assess the specific risks for you and your family, we encourage you to learn all you can.
Drinking water provided by most water utility companies meets or falls below the current national standard for arsenic, which is 50 parts per billion (ppb). That standard, however, was established in 1942, before health officials knew that arsenic causes cancer. According to National Academy of Sciences estimates, one out of 100 people who drink water containing 50 parts per billion will get cancer (based on drinking two liters of water per day over the course of a lifetime). That's an extremely high cancer risk. The EPA, which sets the arsenic standard, normally assigns standards for toxins and contaminants that represent no more than a one-in-10,000 risk factor for cancer.
While arsenic levels may fluctuate over time, what is most significant from the standpoint of cancer risk is long-term exposure. For water systems in the 25 states that reported arsenic data to the EPA, we have calculated two estimates of average long-term levels: one is a very conservative estimate, the other our best estimate, based on what we believe to be the most reasonable analytical techniques (details on how we arrived at the estimates are included with the charts).
The table below shows the lifetime risks of dying of cancer from arsenic in tap water, based on the National Academy of Sciences' 1999 risk estimates (see our report for details on how we calculated total cancer risk).
Arsenic Level in Tap Water
(in parts per billion, or ppb) Approximate Total Cancer Risk
(assuming 2 liters consumed/day)
0.5 ppb 1 in 10,000
1 ppb 1 in 5,000
3 ppb 1 in 1,667
4 ppb 1 in 1,250
5 ppb 1 in 1,000
10 ppb 1 in 500
20 ppb 1 in 250
25 ppb 1 in 200
50 ppb 1 in 100
5. How does arsenic get into water supplies?
Most arsenic enters water supplies either from natural deposits in the earth or from industrial and agricultural pollution. Arsenic is a natural element of the earth's crust. It is used in industry and agriculture, and for other purposes. It also is a byproduct of copper smelting, mining and coal burning. U.S. industries release thousands of pounds of arsenic into the environment every year.
6. Can water systems reduce arsenic levels in drinking water?
Yes. Some systems may be able to reduce arsenic levels by cleaning up or changing the source of their water. For example, some arsenic contamination results from leaching from old waste dumps, mines or tailings, or from past use of arsenic-containing pesticides. In other cases, arsenic in drinking water is caused by continuing industrial pollution. Government officials, water system managers and citizens can join forces to ensure that polluters are held accountable for cleaning up contaminated sites and reducing or eliminating new arsenic pollution. In addition, readily available treatments can remove arsenic from tap water.
But water systems won't have the incentive to take these steps unless the Environmental Protection Agency requires them to do so by lowering the arsenic standard. Reducing the cancer risk to one in 10,000 would require changing the standard from 50 ppb to 0.5 ppb. Many testing laboratories, however, are unable to measure such a low level of arsenic in water. Therefore, the EPA should adopt a standard of 3 ppb, the level most labs can reliably detect.
7. Can I buy a filter that will remove arsenic from my water?
Yes. You should purchase filters certified by NSF International (1-800-NSF-MARK) to remove arsenic. While such certification is not necessarily a guarantee of safety, it is better than no certification at all. It is critically important that all filters be maintained and replaced at least as often as recommended by the manufacturer; otherwise they might make the problem worse.
8. I drink bottled water -- do I have to worry about arsenic?
Bottled water is not necessarily any safer than tap water. Often, it is nothing more than tap water that may or may not have been filtered. For more on bottled water, see the findings of NRDC's 1999 report Bottled Water: Pure Drink or Pure Hype?
Based on ARSENIC AND OLD LAWS, a February 2000 report by the Natural Resources Defense Council
http://www.nrdc.org/water/drinking/qarsenic.asp
Well Water Testing Frequently Asked Questions
Should I have my well tested?
Yes. In 1999 - 2000, contaminated private well water caused 26% of the drinking water outbreaks that made people sick. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) rules that protect public drinking water systems do not apply to privately owned wells. Most states have rules for private wells, but these rules may not completely protect your private well. In other words, as a private well owner, it is up to you to make sure that your well water is safe to drink. Your local health or environmental department can help advise you.
When should I have my well tested?
Check your well every spring to make sure there are no mechanical problems; test it once each year for germs and once every two to three years for harmful chemicals. You should also have your well tested if:
There are known problems with well water in your area You have experienced problems near your well (i.e., flooding, land disturbances, and nearby waste disposal sites) You replace or repair any part of your well system.
How do I find out if my well is contaminated?
The only way to find out if your well water is contaminated is to test it. You can contact your health or environmental department, or a private laboratory to test for germs and harmful chemicals. In some states, the drilling contractor must test a new well after it is built. However, as a well owner, it is up to you to maintain your well and have it tested regularly.
How do germs and chemicals get into my well water?
Germs and chemicals can get into your well water and contaminate it in different ways. Some germs and chemicals occur naturally. For example, heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and cadmium are naturally found in rocks and soil and sometimes seep into ground water. Other contaminants come from human and animal waste resulting from polluted storm water runoff, agricultural runoff, flooded sewers, or individual septic systems that are not working properly.
What are the germs and chemicals I should test for in my well?
Several things you should test for are listed below. These germs and chemicals can be a risk to your health. (Please see the Contaminants in Well Water fact sheet for a list of common germs and chemicals in drinking water and the illnesses they cause.)
Total Coliform
Coliform bacteria are microbes found in the digestive systems of warm-blooded animals, in soil, on plants, and in surface water. These microbes typically do not make you sick; however, because microbes that do cause disease are hard to test for in the water, "total coliforms" are tested instead. If the total coliform count is high, then it is very possible that harmful germs like viruses, bacteria, and parasites might also be found in the water.
Fecal Coliform / Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Fecal coliform bacteria are a kind of total coliform. The feces (or stool) and digestive systems of humans and warm-blooded animals contain millions of fecal coliforms. E. coli is part of the fecal coliform group and may be tested for by itself. Fecal coliforms and E. coli are usually harmless. However, a positive test may mean that feces and harmful germs have found their way into your water system. These harmful germs can cause diarrhea, dysentery, and hepatitis. It is important not to confuse the test for the common and usually harmless E. coli with a test for the more dangerous E. coli O157:H7.
Nitrate
Nitrate is naturally found in many types of food. However, high levels of nitrate in drinking water can make people sick. Nitrate in your well water can come from animal waste, private septic systems, wastewater, flooded sewers, polluted storm water runoff, fertilizers, agricultural runoff, and decaying plants. The presence of nitrate in well water also depends on the geology of the land around your well. A nitrate test is recommended for all wells. If the nitrate level in your water is higher than the EPA standards, you should look for other sources of water or ways to treat your water.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
VOCs are industrial and fuel-related chemicals that may cause bad health effects at certain levels. Which VOCs to test for depends on where you live. Contact your local health or environmental department, or the EPA to find out if any VOCs are a problem in your region. Some VOCs to ask about testing for are benzene, carbon tetrachloride, toluene, trichloroethelene, and methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE).
pH
The pH level tells you how acidic or basic your water is. The pH level of the water can change how your water looks and tastes. If the pH of your water is too low or too high, it could damage your pipes, cause heavy metals like lead to leak out of the pipes into the water, and eventually make you sick.
Other germs or harmful chemicals that you should test for will depend on where your well is located on your property, which state you live in, and whether you live in an urban or rural area. These tests could include testing for lead, arsenic, mercury, radium, atrazine, and other pesticides. You should check with your local health or environmental department, or the EPA to find out if any of these are a problem in your region.
Please remember that if your test results say that there are germs or chemicals in your water, you should contact your local health or environmental department for help and test your water more often.
My well water has a funny smell or taste; should I worry about getting sick?
A change in your water's taste, color, or smell is often not a health concern. However, a change could be a sign of serious contamination problems. Any time you notice a change in your water quality, you should have it tested.
Where do I go to have my well water tested?
State and local health or environmental departments often test for bacteria and nitrates. Health or environmental departments, or county governments should have a list of the state-certified (licensed) laboratories in your area that test for a variety of substances.
Others who may be able to provide you with this listing include:
Your State Laboratory Certification Officer
EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791
EPA's Web site
Revised Summer 2003
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/healthywater/factsheets/wellwater.htm