Water - What the Chemicals Companies Do Not Want You to Know
71Is it just a coincidence that I could not bring up a video produced by Dr. Oz entitled "Don't Drink Water".
Or maybe someone is complaining.
What is "it" that the chemical companies who have an arsenal of financial strength don't want us Americans to know?
What is "it" that Europeans know and we don't know?
Why is "it" that the CDC claims our corrosive pipes are safe?
What is the real truth?
I don't have all the answers but I can start with questions and provide my insights and research on 5 items that chemical companies may not want you and I to know.
I have spent years in water utilities and have the utmost respect for municipal water operators. I have set their pay scale higher than police officers because I know the complexities of their job and the possible detrimental health effects IF they are not well trained, well educated and dedicated to their jobs. The men and women who run our water plants are superb.
So who is to blame? Management - not in this case - it is our consumer ignorance. We need to learn the truths about what we are putting in our bodies. Our health depends upon it.
Link to Video Provided by Daiymotion on Dr. Oz and Water
- Dailymotion - Don\'t Drink the Water The Dr Oz Show - a News & Politics video
This is an excerpt from the Dr. Oz Show. Dr. Oz requested that this information be passed onto others. This clip is already available on the Internet, I have just mirrored it to this site, f
Videos Not Available
Sadly two videos about Dr. Oz and water are not available.
Dr. Oz Reveals the Shocking Truth About Tap Water - Video Not Working
Dr. Oz on Water Filtration - Video Not Working
#1 Plumbed Water Has Chlorine - It Must For Health and Safety Reasons
Households connected to public water supplies have chlorine in their water. The water is not bad. The piping is the unstable component. The public water supply adds chlorine for our safety and they are wise to do so.
Even Dr. Oz recognizes the value of hydration and along with the many contaminates in our public water supplies. Well water to many is better because it has less piping but it is unregulated. If you have well water - test it and know what you are drinking and exposing your family to - it is your health.
Dr. Oz Video Don't Drink Water
Why is this video on the website for Dr. Oz not working - that is what triggered my article. I want to see the details and hear from him firsthand. It is now up and working and can be seen on YouTube - a convenient link is provided to the right for your review.
Water can become contaminated very easily. Nearby livestock may be the culprit. Proper agricultural practices are crucial not just to your property but for the aquifer that services your community water supply.
A couple of check points for your water:
- Always check the smell, be cognizant of an unusual taste or appearance.
- Take notice if recurrent intestinal or other health problems particular if they are clustered in your household or your neighborhood
- Be water savvy - old lead pipes can contribute to BAD water
- Remember nearby livestock, agricultural crops, toxic dumps contribute to the aquifer
- Visual note - Stained sinks, tubs and laundry
- Indoor radon gas can contaminate not just your air but your water too
A Request for Dr. Oz to Tell Us About Fluoride
#2 Fluoride is a Drug
Why is fluoride added to our municipal water system? Children need fluoride, we have it in toothpaste, and we can purchase a supplement (which is recommended by dentist for children), yet we add this chemical to water our lawns?
New research is detailing that our seniors may actually be harmed by this drug.
Recommendation: When purchasing a water filter, ask about the fluoride. If you don't have children, consider requesting the filter that removes the filter.
Remember Europe does not add fluoride - why are doing this?
Here is a report from WCBC TV:
"WCVB TV’s own report reveals that fluoride is a deadly chemical. Near the beginning of the video, we are shown an industrial sized bag of fluoride at the Amesbury Water Department. “Sodium Fluoride,” a label on the bag warns, “Danger! Poison-Toxic by Ingestion.” The label states the chemical targets the heart, kidneys, bones, central nervous system, the gastrointestinal system, and teeth." [1]
U.S. Says Too much Fluoride in Water
Over Consumption of Fluoride
Corroded Copper Piping
#3 Water Pipes Do Corrode and Many Contain Lead
I wrote my article about corrosive piping from my own knowledge base. It has since become one of my most popular articles. I began my career in municipal water. I was trained in their operations and I had confidential information. My home was one of the first to be tested for lead. We had copper piping not lead - yet my home tested for lead. Within 14 months of my home being tested for lead, the mandate for the annual water report which details that you should run your water before drinking was issued. The study was conducted with the original belief that only lead pipes showed lead in the drinking water. We had a "newer" home built in the early 1960 (the testing that was done was early 1980s) with copper piping. The lead joints were found to be sufficient to test positive for lead in the water.
Distribution Lines
The item we must keep in mind is the water that is delivered to us is delivered via miles and miles of piping. The municipal water delivers the very best water they possibly can - they are doing their jobs. They are simply unable to overcome the extensive piping. This piping could be miles of 12" pipes called "mains", could be also a 2" "service line", could be traveling through old lead piping somewhere in the distribution system. We had wood mains - yes - wood piping! The distribution system for water delivery runs underground. In Chicago some of the mains are 4 foot tall! The lines on these pipes can become corrosive.
Once my article on corrosive pipes was so popular, I did some more research - what I found was fascinating. Look at what the CDC has to say about corrosive piping:
"Lead and copper are rarely detected in most drinking water supplies. However, these metals are a concern to consumers. Because some household plumbing fixtures may contain lead or copper, corrosive waters may leach (pick up) lead and copper from household plumbing pipes after entering a home. This is a greater issue for older houses (i.e., houses built before 1981, if the plumbing system has not been replaced) than for newer houses. The most common reason for water utilities to add corrosion inhibitors is to avoid lead and copper corrosion with older homes, and the second most common reason is to minimize corrosion of pipes in the distribution system."[2]
Copper Piping is the Best But Not Perfect
Copper piping in your home is the very best because copper is a natural antimicrobial - it will fight bacteria but copper will corrode - like everything in life, copper is not perfect. Check out the photo provided by Potnoodle from the UK here on Hub Pages - copper pipes can corrode, can have holes, cracks and let outside elements into the water distribution line.
1981 Reference - What is This? False Safety?
My home (built 1962) had copper pipes with lead soldering and yet lead was a problem UNLESS the water was let to run - then the water from the mains was supplied. Both of my homes that I built (1997 and 2001) had copper piping with lead joints - same as the home I grew up in which was built in 1962.
I am not a plumber, or in the construction trade - last I knew we still used lead for copper piping - please correct me IF I am wrong. The 1981 reference given by the CDC may be inaccurate guidance. Why is this being given? Where are the statistics for this reference? Is this false safety given by the CDC?
Be Aware of What You are Bathing and Drinking
The crux of the matter is the water sitting in your own home's piping is not what you want to drink - run the water - get fresh cold water - if you are drinking room temperature water, you could be drinking water with lead in it.
Fill your bath tub AFTER you have cold water (same rule as drinking water), then fill the tub - especially for children and aging adult. You don't want to take a bath in water with lead. We are human and we have pores in our skin. I don't need research to tell me common sense items.
#4 Ozone is NOT Pollution
When you see the weather report and the meteorologist is reporting the pollution levels the level of the ozone is indicative of what is being combated. Ozone fights pollution. I am told we don't measure pollution - the pollutants are too numerous, we can measure the amount of ozone and ozone is Mother Nature's method of fighting pollutants.
During days with high levels of ozone, ozone is actively trying to combat the pollutants. What you should know: that active children, adults, the elderly, especially people with heart or lung disease should limit or avoid prolonged outdoor exertion while an Air Quality Action Day for Ozone is in effect.
Remember essentially ozone is Mother Nature's cleaning method - the pollutants are what is being combated in the atmosphere.
Walmart and Food Retailers - We Need Your Help - Please Take Action
Walmart and other food retailers - if you are listening - as one of the largest food retailers in the nation, hold your beef producers accountable even IF the government doesn't demand disclosure - demand it of your suppliers.
Labeling for food must be transparent. The argument that ammonia is a "processing chemical" is just not an acceptable practice. What informed consumer would buy this argument? Don't hide the fact, disclose the facts and let us know the full truth.
#5 Non Disclosure of Ammonia
Ammonia in Beef Processing Not Disclosed
Why do we have regulatory agencies who do not demand disclosure?
As Americans we trust the government to disclose safety facts on our foods and on our drugs. Sadly, this was not done with the beef processing and ammonia.
Why is the use of ammonia hidden from us?
The theory the government (via the chemical companies) used in not disclosing "ammonia" on the label of the beef is the fact that ammonia is a "processing chemical" not "an ingredient".
Technology is changing very quickly but this should not mean we lessen our standards of excellence. If ammonia or ozone or any other process is used in preparing our foods, I want to know about it and make an active choice of what I am putting into my body.
Ammonia in beef MAY be the best alternative to fight against bacteria, I am not a chemist, I am a citizen who needs to know the facts. Government's job is to deliver the information. I, as a consumer, may choose to pay more for beef that has no ammonia used in its processing. But I need the information in order to make an informed choice.
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Chemicals Water and Food - Vital to Our Health
Water is our life. Understanding our health and our needs of our body is our number one. The chemical companies probably did not pull the video from Dr. Oz but it did spur me to emphasize the many false stories that may harm us.
We are taking action on the environment. We are eating better. We are exercising. We are learning from science. Now is the time to set the record straight on chemicals. Know what you are drinking, be concerned about your health.
An educated populace is a safe and healthy populace. Take the time to question, to learn and act. Change your habits. Demand accountability of governmental agencies. Question government facts - our families' health depends upon it.
CommentsLoading...
I filter my tap water. Now I use Zero water. It comes with a tester that tests the purity of water. I am obsessed now with testing water. My Zero water is great, my house water is not and the bottled water I tested is not pure as advertised. Great informative hub. Voted useful.
Lady Guinevere,
Fascinating facts - thank you very much for sharing.
Breakfastpop,
You are a wise man - filtered tap water is my favorite - hopefully someday the water companies will offer this service themselves - they need to wise up - maybe as we learn together they will come to the table offering filtered water as a second water supply - safer and yet effective too.
Thank you so much for sharing!
I lived most of the past twenty years on water from my own deep well, which while hard, full of iron, and on the alkyline side was good for washing etc, I did not drink it. I had my own distiller and drank only that. Now, I use only filtered tap water, and so far, it seems pretty good. Thanks for a great article.
Things to consider.
lmmartin,
You had real no chemical water - the good stuff. The filtered water is a big change and there is a reason - we are better at some things - water is one. Thank you for stopping by in your busy schedule. You are a great writer and I am honored.
dahoglund,
Thank you for stopping by - greatly appreciate it.
[1] http://www.polkmoms.com/forum/topics/story-on-mystery-substance
[2] http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/fact_sheets/engineering/corrosion.htm
In appreciation Photos:
Ozone Season: http://www.ci.irving.tx.us/begreen/News.asp
Ozone Action Day:
http://www.ci.irving.tx.us/begreen/News.asp
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Medical Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only. Neither it nor the products sold here are designed to diagnose, treat, or cure any problem. You should contact your physician for further information, diagnosis, testing, or advice on how to use the information/products listed in this site.
Copyright: © 2010 Gma Goldie All Rights Reserved - GmaGoldie loves to share her ideas but greatly appreciates credit for her hard work. Please email the author for permission for use of terms and ideas shared in this or other GmaGoldie articles on health, fitness and exercise.
FTC Disclosure: The author is a certified personal trainer and the inventor of theEZ Swimmer - the ultimate resistance tool for the swimming pool.
Lady Guinevere Level 6 Commenter 20 months ago
We changed out all our copper pipes to PVC pipes. That was mainly do to the continual freezing of the copper pipes in the winter. No frozen pipes now! Another thing that the Water companies lie about is what they tell you is NOT in the water. We get a report from the woter company about once or twice a year. They tell us that the water is clean and the levels are correct to the rules, BUT they are NOT. Sometimes I can smell the chlorine in the water that was running from the kitchen when sitting outside on my front deck some 200 feet away. We now have a whole house filter, but it is a salt based filter so I have another Brita Filter just for my drinking water. It's getting bad all around the world.