Getting the Chlorine Out of Your Water for Better Health
ing, bathing, and swimming can be toxic. The toxicity is not just from the contaminants found in the water that is treated by public water utilities, but also from the chlorine added for disinfectant purposes. Between 2004 and 2009, the Environmental Working Group performed an analysis of 20 million water-quality tests, revealing that local and regional water supplies are tainted with up to 316 differ- ent toxic chemicals, many of which are unregulated by current federal standards. The unregulated pollut- ants include freon, radon, chemical refrigerants, a weed killer, and even a toxic component of rocket fuel. Other pollutants come from agricultural runoff, industrial chemicals, and the many byproducts of wastewater treat- ment itself. Many Americans now rank water
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pollution as their primary environmental concern, relying on solutions such as bottled water and a variety of fi ltration systems. Unfortunately, most bottled water is simply repackaged tap water with minimal additional treatment; it is also costly, and its plastic containers add to environmental waste. Filtration systems may help with some of the more toxic pollutants that the public water utilities miss, but generally do not remove chlorine from the water. Most Americans do not consider
chlorine as a health hazard because it has successfully eliminated many seri- ous airborne diseases, such as cholera. However, chlorine can cause serious health problems. Studies link chlorine exposure to colon, breast, and bladder
by Linda Ellinor
any people are unaware that the ordinary water used in the United States for drink-
copper-ionization process to remove chlorine and other chemicals from water. It has been used in the last sev- eral Olympic swim competitions due to the superior quality of the water it creates. We can use ECOsmarte as a point-of-entry fi ltration system for the home as well as the pool. For drinking, an optimum ap-
cancers, respiratory problems, and heart disease. There is also a connec- tion between high exposure to chlo- rine and a condition called “thrush,” an oral yeast condition not easily eradicated. Chlorine can damage the hair and skin, and cause burning of the eyes. We take in chlorine from a number of sources: a shower exposes us to up to ten times more chlorine and other chemicals than from drink- ing water. Also, the air surrounding a swimming pool contains chlorine, which we swallow and absorb into our skin. A buildup of byproducts of chlorinated pool treatments, called chloramines, causes the smell most of us associate with public-pool swim- ming; it also causes slimy skin, dry skin, and skin rashes. Since public water companies are unlikely to discontinue the use of chlorine, what are our options for eliminating chlorine from water? For bathing and swimming purposes, a system called ECOsmarte removes chlorine and other chemicals from water, using a system developed by NASA to disinfect water for the Apollo space program. ECOsmarte employs a
proach is to use a point-of-use fi ltra- tion system such as Kangen Water, which double-fi lters the water coming from an ECOsmarte or another point- of-entry fi ltration system. Kangen alkalizes and restructures the water for increased bodily absorption by sepa- rating the acidic molecules from the alkalized molecules. We can use the more acidic water to wash fruits and vegetables, and the more alkalized water to boost our immune system by using it for drinking. An alkalized diet supports a healthy immune system; drinking water that is highly alkal- ized helps to combat the acidity of the American diet. These two systems work together to promote a strong immune system and provide drinking water that is chemical-free and highly absorbent. At last, water can actually be good for us.
Linda Ellinor is the founder and owner of the Floating Stone Inn & Aqua Spa, located in the artists’ village of Tubac, Arizona, just 45 minutes south of Tuc- son. This boutique inn and spa uses the water systems described in this article, offering a complete wellness experience with fi ve pools, massage services, and educational programs. For more information, visit thefl oating-
stoneinn.com or call 520-398-3193. See ad on page 4.
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2010-2011
Arizona
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