ALLERGY: WHAT CAUSES REACTIONS TO TAPWATER?
Low levels of chemicals known to cause chemical sensitivity are found in tapwater, as well as metals known or suspected of causing harm. Water quality regulations permit levels of chemicals which, it is argued, are not harmful to health. Chemically sensitive people are, however, affected by very low levels of chemicals, and those present in tapwater are often sufficient to cause them reactions.
The contents of tapwater vary considerably across the country, and even within water company regions. This is partly because the level of industrial or agricultural contaminants differs according to the nature of the local economy. It is also because of local differences in the age and quality of water treatment plants, and mains and pipes. If you live in an area with relatively new treatment plants and pipes, or with little industry, or with low fertiliser use in farming, then your tapwater will contain lower levels of chemicals than that of other places.
Furthermore, some tapwater supplies come from groundwater, drawn direct from springs or boreholes. This often differs little from bottled waters in purity and needs little disinfection and filtration before supply. One third of water in England and Wales is supplied from groundwater, and if this applies to you, you may have few problems with your water apart from chemicals used for disinfection.
Water that is drawn from other sources (lakes, rivers and reservoirs) is subject to more pollution and needs greater purification, especially water from lowland rivers and reservoirs.
The chemicals found in tapwater which are particularly associated with chemical sensitivity are:
• chlorine
• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• trihalomethanes
• organic solvents
Aluminium, found naturally or added to purify water in some areas, is linked to some health problems, and lead, found sometimes in lead pipes within the home, is a known health hazard. If you are concerned about lead within your home, ask a plumber to check your system and replace pipes if you need to.
Traces of other heavy metals are also found in tapwater – metals such as copper, zinc and cadmium. Metals do not cause specific sensitivity reactions, but it is thought that absorbing them can depress the immune system, deplete vitamin and mineral levels, and thereby reduce your ability to cope generally with chemical load.
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