| A technologically advanced faucet water filter can | | | | exposed to amounts on a daily basis that double |
| remove a wide variety of contaminants, without | | | | our lifetime risk of bladder cancer. |
| affecting the naturally occurring mineral content | | | | Public safety groups, such as the Environmental |
| present in surface and groundwater. Most faucet | | | | Working Group recommend an effective faucet |
| water filters are not so technologically advanced. | | | | water filter for homeowners with publicly treated |
| Most only remove chlorine. | | | | supplies. Researchers at the University of |
| In the old days, say 20 years ago, a faucet | | | | Cincinnati make the same recommendation. |
| water filter was expensive, if you could find one, | | | | Numerous research groups from around the world |
| at all. Most people relied on reverse osmosis or | | | | have shown that THM exposure occurs through |
| distillation, if they had a purification method in their | | | | drinking, showering, hand-washing dishes and |
| home, at all. Those methods de-mineralized the | | | | cooking with unfiltered tap-water. But, if your |
| water and did not remove chemical contaminants, | | | | shower and faucet water filters do not remove |
| which are the challenges that we face, today. | | | | THMs, you are still exposed. The chemicals can be |
| Today, faucet water filters are easy to find, but | | | | absorbed through the skin and inhaled, along with |
| it is still difficult for the average consumer to | | | | the steam from hot water. |
| make an informed decision. Companies are not | | | | Independent studies have found measurable levels |
| required to provide product performance data, | | | | of one THM (chloroform gas) in homes around |
| before you buy. When they do provide | | | | the US. The cause they identified was showering. |
| information about contaminant removal, they only | | | | Chloroform gas is an anesthetic that depresses |
| list those things that are removed or reduced. | | | | the central nervous system. It is deadly at high |
| Many people realize that there is chlorine in their | | | | levels. At low levels, it causes dizziness, fatigue |
| water-supply, but they don't know much about | | | | and headache. |
| chlorination byproducts. Chlorine reduction is | | | | Chronic long-term exposure causes damage to |
| important to improve taste and protect the | | | | the liver and kidneys. To pregnant women, the |
| digestive system. But, faucet water filters that | | | | dangers are birth defects and miscarriage. It is |
| reduce chlorine should also reduce chlorination | | | | classified as a "class 2A carcinogen". So, if your |
| byproducts. It just makes sense. | | | | faucet water filter does not remove THMs, then |
| Those chlorination byproducts, which are | | | | you should make sure that your home is well |
| commonly referred to as THMs are known to | | | | ventilated. |
| increase the individual's lifetime risk of bladder and | | | | If you are suffering from chronic fatigue or |
| colorectal cancer. You might think, "Yeah, well | | | | frequent headaches, investing in showerhead and |
| everything causes cancer." But, that's not true. | | | | faucet water filters can improve your health. So, |
| Most of the naturally occurring substances in the | | | | shop for a faucet water filter that is certified to |
| world are not carcinogenic. Most of the synthetic | | | | remove chlorine AND chlorination byproducts. It |
| chemicals that are so prevalent in our society | | | | just makes sense. |
| ARE carcinogens. But, we are not normally | | | | |