New Report
Shows Asthma Triggers in Tap Water
Nearly one in 12 Americans suffer from
Asthma across the U.S. according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC); that’s about 25 million people annually, with numbers
increasing every year. Those who suffer from asthma typically have a clear
understanding of which environmental factors — or ‘triggers’ —can cause an
asthma attack.
But what happens when an asthma attack
is triggered? Here’s a quick preview: respiratory symptoms such as difficulty
breathing, chest pain, coughing, and wheezing begin. Depending on the severity
of the trigger, these symptoms will feel like a minor interruption or, at worst,
a life-threatening attack.
Fortunately, knowledge is power, and
with a greater understanding of which triggers aggravate your symptoms, you can
learn to better avoid them.
For example, the usual suspects are:
·
Medicines
·
Exercise
·
Smoking
·
Stress
·
Cold Air
·
Food
·
Pollution
·
Pollen
·
Infections
·
Water
Triggers that fly a little
more under the radar—like stress, food additives, aspirin, and alcohol—also made
the list. But one of the strangest triggers is right where you’d least expect
it: in your water.
The Culprit in Your Water
Certain
chemicals have proven to be game changers for water treatment. For example, when
chlorine was first introduced into the water disinfecting process, waterborne
diseases (like typhoid and cholera) decreased significantly. Chloramine, a
solution that is a 5:1 mixture of chlorine and ammonia, took it a step further,
acting as a water treatment agent for longer periods of time to prevent
bacterial growth as water traveled from the treatment facility to your tap.
These
chemicals allow the average American to have free access to clean water without
risk of contracting a waterborne illness. And while the steep drop in waterborne
diseases is, of course, a positive outcome of disinfected water, the link
between water treatment chemicals and asthma flare-ups has grown.
LET’S TALK CHLORINE
A number of
studies have confirmed that in larger quantities, the amount of chlorine needed
to keep a pool clean is directly tied to asthma aggravation. In fact, a group of
researchers found that swimmers who swam in a chlorinated pool for a little
under 10 minutes were three times more likely to develop exercise-induced asthma
than if they exercised on land or in water with scarce amounts of chlorine.
Now,
chlorine levels in pools are much higher than they are in drinking water, but
even in smaller doses, chlorine has the potential to cause respiratory
aggravation. This is especially true during showers when Chloroform, a byproduct
of chlorination, enters the air through steam. One such study found that a 10 to
15-minute shower led to noticeable exposure to chloroform. And as one might
expect, chloroform, which is a sweet-smelling odor that can knock someone out
and send them to dreamland, also causes respiratory aggravation.
Breathe Clean Steam
Managing
asthma symptoms, depending on the severity of the condition, can be a
challenging task in and of itself. But not to fear! Anyone who is worried about
potential asthma triggers, especially in their tap water, still have many
methods to remove unnecessary contaminants before it goes from tap to glass or
shower.
The most
obvious choice is going directly to the source – a whole house filter will
purify an entire home’s water supply at the outset so that every water outlet,
from the shower to the washer will produce clean, chemical-free water. A proper
whole house filter can remove more than 97 percent of chlorine, as well as other
worrisome chemical compounds. Look for a whole house filter that’s been tested
and certified by NSF/ANSI 53 and 58. NSF International is an independent,
nonprofit that tests and certifies products to minimize adverse health effects
and protect the environment, and its seal of approval ensures that the whole
house filter you’re looking at buying is the real deal.
Alternatively, spot treatment is also possible in the form of a shower
filtration system. This is particularly helpful for anyone who is specifically
concerned about fumes released in the shower, as many shower filters on the
market can remove up to 90 percent of chlorine and contaminants, giving you a
truly clean showering experience. These filters, which can be screwed into an
existing showerhead, also remove potentially asthma-triggering chemicals while
improving your overall shower experience.
Ultimately,
the EPA can only do so much to help you manage your allergens and asthma
triggers. The choice is truly up to you when it comes to your own health. All
that you must ask yourself is, “how much is it really worth”?
Alyssa Scavetta