How can you protect yourself from the drugs in the drinking water?
Recent studies have revealed that small amounts of numerous drugs are present in our water supply. Currently the experts have assured the public that there are no immediate health risks. However, there is a concern over the potential long term effects. Some studies have already confirmed that damage to human cells is a consequence of exposure to these pharmaceuticals. Questions have been posed as to what can be done to eliminate the drugs from our drinking water. And the answers at this point are not reassuring. Especially considering our fresh water supplies are limited.
The company that certifies the claims of water filtering companies as to what the filters are capable of removing currently does not have established tests for drug removal. Until the studies that identified the drugs in our water supplies revealed their presence publicly, there wasn’t any reason for the certifying entity to develop testing protocol for drug contaminants. And the news from the governing bodies that regulate the water filtration process for the water plants isn’t any more promising. And for those of you who entertained the thought of relying on bottled water, think again. Bottled water comes from the same water source as your tap water.
It seems obvious that changes will need to be made to address this pressing concern. The current criterion for certifying assertions of water filtering products and the standards of water filtration plants for removing drug will have to be developed and updated. Up until now, the need for drug contaminant removal from drinking water supplies wasn’t even a consideration. Now it seems that experts in these fields will have to develop a process post-haste. The fact that scientists haven’t found evidence of serious repercussions from the drug exposure as of yet doesn’t mean that it won’t be found. And when the hazards are identified, we can only hope the threat to our health isn’t severe and the damage to the environment catastrophic.
