We average 10.5 cups of water each day and only 3% of our earths water is
fresh and consumable
Our water is being threatened by pollution from overpopulation, air pollution
resulting in acid rain
Pollution is so severe that diseases are increasing in our oceans and streams
thusly affecting our food chain
Lead:
Many homes and buildings have pipes and plumbing fixtures that contain lead.
Lead can leach from pipes into household water, making its plumbing a major
source of water contamination and a potential source of toxic lead poisoning.
Lead is so toxic that even very low levels may be dangerous.
Lead consumption and poisoning has been linked to many serious illnesses, especially
in young children lead can harm mental and physical development and may cause
brain abnormalities, kidney damage and hypertension. As with other water contaminants,
the risks of lead damage are much greater for children than for adults. Families
should be particularly concerned about the health of the water supply.
Consumers should test lead levels at each faucet in the home, especially if
the plumbing fixtures could be from the 1980's or older.
Chronic exposure to low levels of lead can result in learning disabilities,
muscle and bone disorders and kidney damage in children under six. In the U.S.,
about 900,000 children aged one to five years old have a blood lead level exceeding
the level of concern.
Pesticides:
Pesticides are deadly chemicals used to eliminate weeds, insects and other
harmful elements in crops. Their pervasive use, however, has produced its
own harm. Now it is not uncommon to find pesticide contamination in our drinking
water.
Atrazine and Simazine are the two of the pesticides most commonly found to
contaminate drinking water. More than 60 million pounds of these two chemicals
are introduced into the environment each year as herbicides, and left to potentially
leak into the soil, ground water and the lakes and rivers that are drinking
water sources. They are so toxic that the EPA-mandated maximum level is equivalent
to less than one drop in a swimming pool.
There are laws that require the regular testing of community water supplies,
but in practice, they are rarely tested.
Pesticides are linked in scientific studies to increased cancer rates and chronic
illnesses.
Nitrates/Nitrites:
When animal and human wastes or field fertilizers come into contact with water,
they show up as nitrates and nitrites. Both are serious contaminants because
they affect the very core of human life - birth - and the development of
your life.
A syndrome called blue-baby is caused by a too high concentration of nitrates
in drinking water. The young are especially susceptible. In the worst cases,
it produces shortness of breath, which increases susceptibility to illness
and can cause heart attacks or even death.
You cannot see nitrates and nitrites in water. You must test them. The National
Pesticide Survey tested 1,349 community and domestic wells in every state.
Nitrates were detected in some 57% of domestic well and 52% of community wells.
Chlorine:
The consumption of Chlorine in very small amounts most likely will not cause
you serious harm. However, there are by-products, including chlorophorm,
which chlorine produces when mixed with organic matter.
Studies have found that regular drinking of tap water with high levels of Chlorine
by products increases the risk of some forms of cancer.
pH:
If the acidity of your water is too high, corrosion can leach out lead from
pipes as well as damage your water supply system and water heater.
Lead was used extensively in plumbing until the 1980's. Even low levels of
lead have been linked to learning disabilities in children and hypertension
in adults. So it is important to know if your pH level is corrosive.
Hardness:
Water hardness is primarily caused by calcium and magnesium compounds. These
chemicals are not easily detected, but the numerous negative effects can
be unpleasant and costly.
Hard water causes scaling in pots and pans and prevents soap from lathering.
Calcium and magnesium build-up may eventually damage plumbing and water heaters.
Iron:
High levels of iron may give your household water a metallic taste, cause a
reddish or yellowish color and also result in other water quality problems.
Iron-contaminated water can stain pipes, sinks, and damage laundry.
High levels of iron are especially common in well water systems.
GLOBAL WARMING
Rising ocean levels, melting glaciers, ozone depletion, green house affects,
and droughts are just a few catastrophic consequences of global warming
Global Warming is one of the most serious threats facing our country and our
planet today. Scientists agree that global warming is real and caused by human
activities and many say we have only 10 years to take action before we cause
irreversible harm.
Excessive resource and
energy use and a growing demand for raw materials are largely responsible
for the depletion of natural resources worldwide and the
acceleration of global warming – which is contributing to rising sea
levels, extreme weather patterns, extended droughts and floods, disappearing
glaciers, and increased health risks.
Fortunately, there are many things we can each do to respond: use less energy,
drive greener cars, green our homes, and demand that corporate leaders and
our elected officials act today.
40%
of the world’s resource and energy use is linked to the construction and
maintenance of buildings, and about 33% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.
come from transportation. By reducing our energy consumption at home and at
work, by building green buildings that are more energy efficient, and by driving
and demanding more fuel-efficient vehicles, we can begin to make a difference.
