The US Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, is an organization that is responsible for the drinking water regulations in the country. And while tap water may be safe for some, it may not be the recommended choice for many. There could also be some side effects from drinking tap water, which are mentioned below. This article also highlights why a water purifier is recommended.
Tap water regulations and side effects
According to the EPA, anything other than water molecules found in the water is termed a contaminant. However, the EPA suggests that some contaminants are not as harmful at certain levels. The contaminant list includes bacteria, viruses, parasites, industrial runoff, lead, mercury, arsenic, and pesticides. Radium or uranium deposits in the soil could also contaminate the water in some areas. Here are some of the side effects of drinking tap water:
- In tap water, these contaminants are at deficient levels, and it is not that they are always present. However, if they reach the human body in huge quantities, it can lead to many health issues.
- Arsenic is known to trigger partial paralysis in some people, vomiting, numbness in hands and feet, stomach pain, diarrhea, discoloration of the skin, and blindness.
- Pesticides can lead to skin and eye irritation, extreme weakness, allergic sensitization, and headaches.
- Excessive fluoride can cause skeletal problems and fluorosis.
- Chlorine is known to cause difficulty breathing, chest tightness, a chronic sore throat, a chronic cough, and airway irritation.
- Bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, present in contaminated water, can cause stomach issues like diarrhea, vomiting, cramping, food poisoning, and gastroenteritis.
Reasons to use a water purifier
Here are a few reasons why one should invest in a water purifier:
- Removes contaminants
Since a water purifier is a storage option that is manageable and operated by a machine, it can constantly clear out contaminants from regular water. - Is unaffected by weather
Rain, bad weather, or industrial leaks cannot affect the quality of the water purifier because it is designed to clean the contaminants in the tap water. - Improves taste
This may not come to mind immediately, but the water that doesn’t have a distinct taste is often the best to drink. All the contaminants are filtered out, and there is also no unpleasant odor that affects the water’s taste or quality.
