Filtering systems and the WQA

While perusing some informational sites, I came across this fact sheet produced by the Water Quality Association in response to all the news about water issues - especially with pharmaceuticals. I thought I would share some of their thoughts for those who do not check this kind of information every day, like the Water Wise Guy does.

- Filtering systems in the home provide the highest technology available for treatment of drinking water. Less than two percent of all water consumed is ingested by humans, making these “point-of-use” systems the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

- While utilities are required to meet safety standards set by the U.S. EPA, home filtering systems act as a final contaminant barrier and can further purify water for drinking.

- While specific product performance standards have not yet been developed for pharmaceuticals, many point-of-use technologies have proven effective for some of these emerging contaminants. Nano-filtration and reverse osmosis systems removed drugs tested by the Colorado School of Mines at full-scale facilities in Arizona and California. Activated carbon, distillation, ozonation, and advanced oxidization have likewise shown promise in removing many of these contaminants. Individual manufacturers can also test products for specific pharmaceuticals if they choose.

- According to Utah State University Extension, up to 90 percent of oral drugs can pass through humans unchanged. These often then move through wastewater into streams and groundwater. It is generally cost prohibitive for utilities to use systems such as nano-filtration, long contact activated carbon, and reverse osmosis. However, these top technologies have proven successful at removing many contaminants in home water treatment systems.

- In addition to pharmaceuticals, water quality experts are examining other emerging contaminants, such as those found in personal care products and pesticides. These are often referred to as endocrine disrupting chemicals. Home filtering systems have also been proven to treat threats such as lead and mercury.

- WQA provides Gold Seal certification for products that remove a variety of contaminants. ( Culligan AC-30 is one of these systems, by the way.)

To learn more, check out the WQA at http://wqa.org/sitelogic.cfm?ID=2059

H-2-Uh Oh!

This is a simple tally of all the reported contaminants found in our country’s water this year. Keep in mind, the year is only half over.

All of these pharmaceuticals, chemicals and compounds were reported in a variety of news and government sources, including the Associated Press and the US Geological Society.

From rat poison ingredients to rocket fuel, your drinking water is constantly assaulted by substances both regulated and non-regulated. While the 1974 Safe Drinking Water sets minimum standards for water quality, modern chemistry might
simply be outrunning the utilities.

On another note, some of these contaminants were prevalent in private wells, which do not have to pass the Safe Drinking Act’s requirements if the well serves less than 25 people.

Don’t chance it. Filter it.

• Atrazine**** (Welcome to the list!)
- America's most loved herbicide that has been known to disrupt hormones and cuase birth defects

• Anti-convulsants*
- Treats epileptic episodes, and now conveniently at your tap without a doctor’s prescription.

• Arsenic***
- Skin and circulatory system can be at risk with arsenic in the water.

• Boron***
- Affects gastrointestinal, reproductive and developmental functions – sounds exciting.

• Codeine*
- Powerful painkiller used in a variety of ways.

• Dichloroethylene***
- This agent used in dry cleaning chemicals has been shown to incur liver issues. Ask the people of Crestwood, IL how they feel about it.

• Hydroquinone*
- Everyone loves a little face cream in their water, right?

• Fluoride**
- Children could get mottled teeth. Utilities are actually reconsidering their fluoride policies these days.

• Iron***

• Lithium carbonate*
- Believe it or not, this chemical is actually used in fireworks because of the deep red flame it gives off upon combustion. Mmmmmm….

• Maganese****
- Can result in damaging neurological effects.

• Mood stabilizers*
- Who doesn’t want psychiatric medication coming out of the tap?

• Mercury**
- Drinking water with mercury can hurt your kidney functions.

• Nicotine Compounds *
- These compounds are associated with the production of nicotine patches.

• Nitrates***
- Infants younger than six months can become seriously ill with too many nitrates in the water. Babies beware.

• Perfluorochemicals**
- This substance is used to make firefighting foam.

• Perchlorates**
- Rocket fuel anyone?

• Pesticides***
- It’s just poison in the water.

• Radium***
- Increased risk of cancer when radium is regularly in your diet.

• Radon***
- Radon is shown to increase the risk of lung cancer.

• Sex hormones*
- Enough said.

• Strontium***
- Linked with abnormal bone development, fun to say and more fun to drink.

• Tetracycline hydrochloride*
- Treats acne and tastes great!

• Tranquilizers*

• Uranium***
- Shown in tests to increase the risk of cancer.

• Vanadium***
- Shown to stimulate cancer cells in animal tests

• Warfarin *
- Agent used in rat poison and also handy in blood thinner.

Wondering what kind of filters are right for you and your family? There are plenty of options out there, and you should consult an expert.

For example, Culligan’s reverse osmosis system, Aqua-Cleer, is the only filter on the market with a dedicated arsenic filtration membrane. So if arsenic is an issue in your area like it is in places like Minnesota, you may want to call your Culligan Man.

*Reported by the Associated Press; ** Reported by multiple sources; *** Reported by the US Geological Society, **** Reported by The New York Times

AP Story: Drinking from the Tap is Like Drinking from a Pharmacy

By JEFF DONN, MARTHA MENDOZA and JUSTIN PRITCHARD, Associated Press Writers Jeff Donn, Martha Mendoza And Justin Pritchard, Associated Press Writers – Mon Apr 20,
Sun Apr 19, 12:40 PM ET
In this photo taken on Feb. 26, 2009, aeration basins are seen in operation at the Wilmington Wastewater Treatment Plant in Wilmington, Del. Scientists took samples from the Delaware River nearby and found elevated concentrations of the painkiller codeine that are prompting them to try and track the source of the drug; this treatment plant handles sewage from a nearby pharmaceutical factory that makes codeine.

U.S. manufacturers, including major drugmakers, have legally released at least 271 million pounds of pharmaceuticals into waterways that often provide drinking water — contamination the federal government has consistently overlooked, according to an Associated Press investigation.

Hundreds of active pharmaceutical ingredients are used in a variety of manufacturing, including drugmaking: For example, lithium is used to make ceramics and treat bipolar disorder; nitroglycerin is a heart drug and also used in explosives; copper shows up in everything from pipes to contraceptives.
Federal and industry officials say they don't know the extent to which pharmaceuticals are released by U.S. manufacturers because no one tracks them — as drugs. But a close analysis of 20 years of federal records found that, in fact, the government unintentionally keeps data on a few, allowing a glimpse of the pharmaceuticals coming from factories.

As part of its ongoing PharmaWater investigation about trace concentrations of pharmaceuticals in drinking water, AP identified 22 compounds that show up on two lists: the EPA monitors them as industrial chemicals that are released into rivers, lakes and other bodies of water under federal pollution laws, while the Food and Drug Administration classifies them as active pharmaceutical ingredients.
The data don't show precisely how much of the 271 million pounds comes from drugmakers versus other manufacturers; also, the figure is a massive undercount because of the limited federal government tracking.

To date, drugmakers have dismissed the suggestion that their manufacturing contributes significantly to what's being found in water. Federal drug and water regulators agree.

But some researchers say the lack of required testing amounts to a 'don't ask, don't tell' policy about whether drugmakers are contributing to water pollution.
"It doesn't pass the straight-face test to say pharmaceutical manufacturers are not emitting any of the compounds they're creating," said Kyla Bennett, who spent 10 years as an EPA enforcement officer before becoming an ecologist and environmental attorney.

Pilot studies in the U.S. and abroad are now confirming those doubts.
Last year, the AP reported that trace amounts of a wide range of pharmaceuticals — including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones — have been found in American drinking water supplies. Including recent findings in Dallas, Cleveland and Maryland's Prince George's and Montgomery counties, pharmaceuticals have been detected in the drinking water of at least 51 million Americans.
Most cities and water providers still do not test. Some scientists say that wherever researchers look, they will find pharma-tainted water.

Consumers are considered the biggest contributors to the contamination. We consume drugs, then excrete what our bodies don't absorb. Other times, we flush unused drugs down toilets. The AP also found that an estimated 250 million pounds of pharmaceuticals and contaminated packaging are thrown away each year by hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Researchers have found that even extremely diluted concentrations of drugs harm fish, frogs and other aquatic species. Also, researchers report that human cells fail to grow normally in the laboratory when exposed to trace concentrations of certain drugs. Some scientists say they are increasingly concerned that the consumption of combinations of many drugs, even in small amounts, could harm humans over decades.

Utilities say the water is safe. Scientists, doctors and the EPA say there are no confirmed human risks associated with consuming minute concentrations of drugs. But those experts also agree that dangers cannot be ruled out, especially given the emerging research.