How
Does Chemical Pollution
Effect My Water?
Why
is Lead Bad?
Chemical Pollution:
Chemicals are, for the most part, odorless,
colorless and tasteless, therefore undetectable. Chlorine is the most
predominant chemical in our water. Some of the most dangerous chemicals are
present only in trace amounts (parts per billion) but highly toxic even at these
minute levels. Sources are usually industrial or commercial, like leaking
underground storage tanks for gasoline or industrial solvents such as TCE (trichloroethane).
These leaking toxins end up in the groundwater or in the municipal supply
through breaks or cracks in the main water pipes. The biggest family of these
toxics are VOC's or volatile organic contaminants, including various plastics,
gasolines and petroleum products.
- Next is the herbicidal group such as dioxin
(2-4D) and lindane, used as a defoliant in modern logging operation and
found in many wild and rural areas.
- Along with the herbicides comes the pesticidal
group such as DDT, malathione and other toxics used in insect eradication
and control.
- Also, the THM's mentioned before are a big
pollutant because of the amount of chlorination used nationwide. They are a
separate class of chemical from chlorine itself.
Lead:
A cumulative toxin that stays in the tissue permanently, especially in
brain tissue. It also affects a person in relation to their body weight.
Therefore, an exposed adult can fend off the toxic effects for some time but in
children, brain and developmental damage occur quickly and permanently.
- Lead pipes and lead solder in the distribution
system are the main sources of lead pollution. Boston Globe estimates that
98% of all households have lead in their plumbing. Houses older than 20
years and less than five years are most at risk. Also, houses in areas of
soft (low mineral levels) water tend to corrode the lead from the pipes more
easily.
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