7 Troubling Trace Chemicals in Drinking Water
Whether you’re the parent of babies and young children or just generally concerned about the quality of drinking water, you’re part of a growing cadre.
In fact, surveys indicate six out of ten Americans are uneasy about public drinking water quality, and these concerns are effecting changes. In 2014, for example, a number of compounds commonly found in trace quantities in tap water were identified as emerging contaminants (ECs) and worthy of notice due to the potential for health risks.
If your tap water is typical, it’s likely to be contaminated with traces of one or more of these chemicals:
- Bisphenol A (BPA). Used to harden plastics since the 1970s, the FDA has expressed concerns about its effect on fetuses, babies and young children especially in respect to behavior, the brain and prostate gland development. In response to concerns, many manufacturers have removed BPA from plastic bottles, toys and pacifiers, but it remains in widespread use in many industries.
- DEET. This common insect repellant has been in use since 1957, and today it’s found in most bug sprays. While it’s highly effective generally against mosquitoes and helps prevent mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus, it can cause skin rashes and ingesting even small amounts can cause stomach irritation, nausea and vomiting.
- Linuron. A phenylurea compound found in herbicides, it’s classified as a potential carcinogen and even in low doses may interfere with testosterone production.
- Metolachlor. This compound is found in pre-emergent weed killers and widely used in agriculture, groundskeeping and home settings. It’s more dangerous when inhaled than ingested, but it is classified as a possible carcinogen.
- Nonylphenol. Used in pesticides, detergents, plastics and rubber products, it can bind to hormone receptors and produce estrogenic effects such as decreased sperm density and increased menstrual cycle length.
- TCEP. Used as a flame retardant, it’s found in plastics, fabric and foam products. Classified as a potential carcinogen, it may harm the nervous system and could hamper reproduction.
- TCPP. Another type of fire retardant, TCPP is also found in plastics, fabric, foam products and insulation. It’s categorized as a potential carcinogen, and it may also affect the nervous system and reproduction.
Manufacturers of in-home water treatment devices have responded to public concerns by developing advanced water treatment systems to remove these chemicals. To see the full list of the fifteen chemicals, drugs and medications routinely found in the drinking water supply and regarded as potentially risky, refer to NSF/ANSI Standard 401 which established standards for devices that remove or reduce these compounds.