Fw: NNF Classic - Leaving Water Out To Dry

[Guest guest]

Forwarding this on as a reminder about drinking filtered water. My memory

is not at it's best right now, but I'm pretty sure I recall a story about

this parasite being found in the city water where I used to live. It might

pay us not to take chances with this kind of thing. Liz G.

> March 15, 2001

> NUTRITION NEWS FOCUS

> " Nutrition news is important. We help you understand it! "

>

> Today's Topic: Leaving Water Out To Dry

>

> Although the government claims our water systems are safe, some

> people are concerned about levels of chlorine or other contaminants

> in water. Chlorine is added to kill bacteria in water pipes. This

> sometimes leads to a bad taste, and there are some concerns about

> cancer-causing chemicals when chlorine reacts with other substances

> in water, particularly in the summer when more chlorine is added to

> water supplies (since the warmer water allows better growth of

> bacteria). This is primarily a theoretical long-term hazard. The

> benefits of chlorine in preventing acute bacterial infections are

> well established.

>

> There have been a few highly publicized failures of municipal

> disinfection in recent years. The biggest was during 1993 in

> Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the parasite Cryptosporidium killed more

> than 100 people and caused hundreds of thousands of illnesses. This

> parasite is not killed by chlorine and must be filtered out. New EPA

> standards will improve filtration of all big water supplies. People

> with weakened immune systems must avoid this microorganism. Those

> with HIV infection, pregnant women, or people taking medicine to

> suppress the immune response need to be vigilant about this.

>

> HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: If you are concerned

> about contaminants in water, a simple activated charcoal filter will

> remove most of these substances. But if you keep water around for

> days, say in a pitcher in the refrigerator, you might be better off

> with chlorinated water. The chlorine in water will evaporate if you

> leave a tray of water for a few hours; why do you think people with

> swimming pools have to constantly replace the chlorine?

>

>

> (This story originally appeared in Nutrition News Focus on

> May 11, 1999.)