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Shower Heads to Remove Harmful Chlorine
Taken from the Canadian
Water Quality Association - Communique
Issue 238
May 2005
Although chlorine
is necessary to keep water safe from bacteria, ongoing studies show it
could be harmful when inhaled and absorbed through the skin during hot
showers. Most municipally-treated water contains chlorine, which is used
to prevent bacteria growth in a much similar manner as it is used in swimming
pools to prevent algae growth. The levels of chlorine that are measured
in water varies on the time of day, with the highest levels mostly measured
in the morning and late evening, when most people shower. Chlorine also
contributes the dry skin, dry hair and hair colour fading.
The National Sanitation
Foundation (NSF) recently developed Standard 177 for Shower Filtration
Systems. The Standard was finalized in mid-2004 and it is a statement
as to how important shower water has become. Filter heads should be tested
to remove up to 99% of the free chlorine in water and should be replaced
every 6 to 9 months, much less frequently than faucet filters.
Is a Shower Filter
Needed?
While everyone might
not "need" a shower filter, everyone can certainly benefit from
using a quality shower water filtration system. People with respiratory
problems, skin disorders or people who live on water systems that use
chlorinated surface water, certainly should use shower filters.
Asthma, bronchitis,
eczema and many other common ailments are very negatively affected by
inhalation and absorption of chlorine and other chemicals while showering.
Breast, colon and bladder cancer have all been linked to exposure of chlorine
from drinking and shower water. "Cancer rates for people on chlorinated
water systems is 96% higher than for those on non-chlorinated water systems..."
U.S. Council on Environment Quality.
More on Shower
Filters
Shower filters can
offer surprising health and cosmetic benefits by filtering out chlorine
and other chemicals from shower water. It has been shown that we take
7-10 times more chlorine and other chemicals from showering than from
drinking water. A recent study published in the American Journal of Public
Health documented the link between chlorine and breast, colon and bladder
cancer and stated that "2/3 of the harmful exposure is from showering..."
The U.S. EPA states that "Due to chlorine and showering, there is
an elevated level of chloroform gas in virtually every home..."
When chlorine vaporizes
it combines with airborne particles and forms chloroform gas, a known
cause and contributor to asthma and other respiratory problems. Even more
noticeable, and probably more popular, are the surprising cosmetic benefits
of shower filters. By removing chlorine and other chemicals from shower
water, you'll notice softer skin and hair almost immediately. Anyone who
has ever swum in a chlorinated pool can relate to the harsh effects that
chlorine has on skin and hair. Showering in filtered water allows skin
and hair to retain moisture for a healthier look and feel.
In a warm shower the
pores of the skin open allowing rapid absorption of chlorine and other
chemicals. Also, do to the fact that chlorine and other chemicals vaporize
at a low temperature and at a faster rate than water the steam, we inhale
while showering has highly concentrated levels of chlorine vapours.
Click
here for more on shower filters
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