Chlorine & Chloramines
One of the biggest sources of chlorine exposure is through drinking chlorinated
water and showering & bathing in such water. The positive side of chlorinating
water is that it kills bacteria that might otherwise cause an acute disease
should the water become contaminated. However, there is a downside in that
chlorinated water may have an adverse effect on bacteria -- including the beneficial
bacteria in the digestive tract! In addition, chlorinated water contains
THM's which are absorbed through drinking and in significant amounts in the
shower (through the lungs and the skin). Among the hazards of THM's, is an
increased cancer risk. The ATSDR lists just of of several possible THM's,
chloroform amongst the
Top 20 Hazardous Substances: ATSDR/EPA Priority List for 1997.
Some municipalities have begun to use chloramines instead of chlorine
as a disinfectant. Chloramines cannot easily be filtered from water
and therefore, my suggestion of using spring water for drinking
and cooking is the safest bet in the long run. This is especially true
as municipalities experiment with other poorly-tested chemicals in the
water.
The simple solution to problems with chlorine from water is to drink
and cook with water labelled as "Spring" water and to purchase a filter
for the shower and bath. N.E.E.D.S. and other organzations
sell shower filters. Such a filter has helped some people feel better, but it
is more important to consider it an investiment in preventing future
illnesses.