‘Is it safe to drink tap water?’: Ask a doctor

Latest reviews of a contaminated water provide within the Dallas-Fort Price space — resulting in residents being warned to not use water from their taps earlier this week — have sparked common security issues.

The town of Grand Prairie, Texas, introduced that firefighting foam was detected within the water on Tuesday, then introduced on Thursday that the water is protected to drink, per native reviews.

Fox Information Digital spoke to consultants about potential dangers with unfiltered faucet water.

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Usually talking, it’s protected to drink faucet water, in accordance with Dr. Brynna Connor, a board-certified household medication doctor in Frisco, Texas, and an envoy for Northwestpharmacy.com — “so long as it’s from a public water system and there aren’t any lively boil water advisories issued by native well being committees and/or water corporations.”

“In line with the Facilities for Illness Management (CDC), the general public water system in america is likely one of the most secure on the earth, guaranteeing that water within the public programs meets federal requirements for protected consumption,” Connor instructed Fox Information Digital.

In some circumstances, nonetheless, there might be dangers related to consuming unfiltered faucet water, together with varied diseases impacting the gastrointestinal system, neurological system and reproductive system, in accordance with Connor. 

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“Moreover, lead poisoning and hepatitis are potential dangers that include consuming unfiltered faucet water, together with nitrate contamination and fluoride publicity,” she added. 

Infants, older adults and folks with weakened immune programs are notably vulnerable to the potential dangers that include consuming unfiltered faucet water, the physician mentioned.

In some circumstances, consuming unfiltered faucet water may impression the gastrointestinal system, neurological system and reproductive system, a physician warned. (iStock)

Jennifer Dunphy, a physician of public well being and co-founder of the WIN Community in Los Angeles, California, agreed that most faucet water is considered protected to drink, as it’s regulated by requirements that require dangerous chemical compounds to be restricted to a minimal — however that doesn’t imply there’s no danger in any respect.

“Simply because faucet water doesn’t trigger speedy well being points doesn’t imply there isn’t a priority for long-term well being penalties,” she instructed Fox Information Digital.

“The general public water system in america is likely one of the most secure on the earth.”

Faucet water could comprise hint quantities of chemical compounds like chlorine and arsenic, the physician warned.

“These chemical compounds could accumulate within the physique over time, and there’s conflicting proof on whether or not they pose long-term well being dangers,” Dunphy mentioned.

“In the event you’re consuming nicely water, make sure you examine with the proprietor that they’re monitoring for any contaminants beforehand,” a physician suggested. (iStock)

Cherilyn Davis, MD, a doctor with Elliston Pediatrics in New York, reiterated that within the U.S., it’s typically protected to drink faucet water, however famous that the laws don’t apply to wells which can be privately owned.

“In the event you’re consuming nicely water, make sure you examine with the proprietor that they’re monitoring for any contaminants beforehand,” she suggested.

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If unfiltered faucet water has contaminants in it, consuming it might result in sure well being points like upset abdomen, vomiting, diarrhea and nausea, Davis warned.

Different signs could embrace complications and even fever.

One approach to fight potential chemical compounds is to make use of a house filtration system, in accordance with consultants. (iStock)

“If the unfiltered water accommodates excessive ranges of lead, it may well result in studying issues for youngsters,” she mentioned. 

“Chemical substances and contaminants could find yourself in water just because they’re naturally occurring within the setting, or it might be from the way in which land is operated on or close by sewers or wastewater remedy programs that malfunction.”

Filtering out contaminants

One approach to fight potential chemical compounds is to make use of a house filtration system.

“There are various reasonably priced filtration programs that may filter out or mitigate the quantity of chemical compounds left in your consuming water,” Dunphy mentioned.

When selecting a system, she emphasised the significance of creating positive it’s proficient at filtering the chemical compounds of concern.

“In the event you don’t need to set up a complete filtration system, you should utilize a faucet-mounted filter, a point-of-use filter or a pitcher filter,” one physician mentioned. (iStock)

“For instance, solely sure filters filter out arsenic, whereas some particular filtration programs are targeted on chlorine,” she famous.

Filtration is very essential for individuals who use nicely water, the consultants agreed.

“In the event you’re getting your faucet water from a personal nicely, it’s essential to check the water repeatedly to make sure it’s protected,” Connor suggested. 

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“Effectively water can simply be contaminated by substances like heavy metals, micro organism, parasites, and pesticides and/or herbicides, or different contaminants, corresponding to plutonium, uranium or radium.”

Those that reside in an space the place the water is thought to have excessive ranges of contaminants or have a lead service line must also take into account a filtration system, the physician suggested.

Filtration is very essential for individuals with well being issues, these with weakened immune programs and younger youngsters, in accordance with a physician. (iStock)

“In the event you don’t need to set up a complete filtration system, you should utilize a faucet-mounted filter, a point-of-use filter or a pitcher filter,” she added.

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Dr. Joseph Mercola, a board-certified household medication osteopathic doctor in Florida, agrees that utilizing a house filtration system is a “sensible transfer” that may assist enhance style and supply “peace of thoughts.”

Filtration is very essential for individuals with well being issues, these with weakened immune programs and younger youngsters, in accordance with the physician.

Specialists advocate testing faucet water repeatedly, which can make it easier to select one of the best filter for the contaminants in your space. (iStock)

“From my understanding, reverse osmosis programs are very efficient, eradicating as much as 99% of contaminants,” he instructed Fox Information Digital. “If that is not an choice, activated carbon filters with ion change may also work nicely.” 

Mercola recommends selecting a filter licensed by NSF Worldwide to make sure that it’s efficient. 

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Davis famous that whereas it’s not completely vital to make use of a filtration system, it may well assist to additional filter out any germs or contaminants.

“Some substances in faucet water are good to drink, like fluoride, which retains your enamel wholesome,” she famous. 

“Search for filters that get rid of solely the undesirable elements of the faucet water.”

Testing is vital, consultants say

It is essential to be proactive about understanding what’s in your water, Mercola emphasised.

If unfiltered faucet water has contaminants in it, consuming it might result in sure well being points like upset abdomen, vomiting, diarrhea and nausea, an professional warned. (iStock)

“Consuming pure water is important, because it helps your physique’s capabilities and well being.”

The physician recommends testing your faucet water repeatedly, which can make it easier to select one of the best filter for the contaminants in your space.

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Owners may also learn their native water high quality report to higher perceive what’s of their faucet water, he suggested. 

“Consuming pure water is important, because it helps your physique’s capabilities and well being.”

It’s essential to comply with native advisories about water security in emergencies or when touring to areas with questionable water high quality, Mercola added.

For extra Health articles, go to www.foxnews.com/well being

To examine the standard of water in your space, a number of consultants advocate visiting the Environmental Working Group (EWG) faucet water database at https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/ and coming into your zip code.

Fox Information Digital reached out to Dallas Water Utilities requesting remark.