| An effective in-home water filtration system can | | | | removed. But, chlorine, itself, is not the cause of |
| protect you and your family from hazardous | | | | those increased cancer rates. The causes are |
| pollutants that public treatment facilities are unable | | | | chemicals created when chlorine interacts with |
| to remove, as well as those things that they | | | | bacteria, algae and other life forms. Those |
| actually add. In order to protect the public's health | | | | chemicals are called trihalomethanes or THMs, for |
| and reduce the risk of waterborne illnesses, | | | | short. Granular Activated Carbon does not |
| treatment facilities began using chlorine, many | | | | remove them. It takes special resins to do that |
| years ago. As a result, the incidence of | | | | and the average water filtration system does not |
| waterborne illnesses has gone way down, but the | | | | include those resins. |
| incidence of certain types of cancer has gone | | | | Lead and parasitic cysts are two other common |
| way up. | | | | contaminants. Cysts are resistant to chlorination. It |
| The two forms that are believed to be closely | | | | has been deemed "unfeasible" for treatment |
| linked to chlorinated water are bladder and | | | | facilities to remove them, because they can only |
| colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer happens to be | | | | be filtered out on the home front. A sub-micron |
| one of the most common types in the US. Your | | | | particle filter will remove them and costs a lot less |
| chances of developing some form of cancer in | | | | than reverse osmosis. Lead can be removed |
| your lifetime are one in three. If you are a man, | | | | through the inclusion of an ion exchange step. The |
| your chances are one in two. The best way to | | | | lead particles are replaced by potassium or sodium |
| reduce your risk is to avoid cancer-causing | | | | ions, which also improve taste. |
| substances, whenever possible. | | | | So, a four step water filtration system is your |
| The average water filtration system will remove | | | | best choice. You can get one for the kitchen tap |
| chlorine. Except, that is, for expensive reverse | | | | at a cost of about $100. Depending on the size of |
| osmosis systems. They do not remove any | | | | your family and the amount of bottled water that |
| chemical compounds that are smaller than a | | | | you normally drink, it could pay for itself in a little |
| molecule of water. They work by forcing water | | | | over a month. |
| through a semi-porous membrane. Only things | | | | Cheaper systems are available, but the filtering |
| larger than those pores are removed. You can't | | | | cartridges have a very short lifespan, which |
| really filter out chlorine or other chemicals. They | | | | makes them cost more to use, on an annual |
| must be trapped on the surface of a filtering | | | | basis. They are also less effective. Compare the |
| media. The process is called "adsorption". | | | | product performance data before you buy. That |
| Granular Activated Carbon is most effective at | | | | information will help you find the best water |
| removing chlorine. In the better dual stage | | | | filtration system for your family. You might want |
| systems, more than 99% of the chemical is | | | | to consider a showerhead filter, as well. |