Sweetwater's
Water Purification Resource Library
This library is intended to aid you in making informed decisions
about the water in your home.
Cryptosporidium
- a protozoan that exists in surface water
One scientist estimates that as many as 25% of the U.S. population is infected with cryptosporidium.
"If we do not change our direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed."
~Chinese Proverb
Prescription Drugs in your water supply - CBS News Video
What to Do, or Not Do about Drugs in Your Drinking Water
Index: You'll find the following topics on this page:
Papers - papers by different authors about how various contaminants in drinking water affect health.
In the News - news items pertaining to water contamination
Press Releases - press releases issued by me about water purification
Quote of the Month - this month's healthy living issue
Resources - links to resource pages
Healthy Living Products - products for a healthy lifestyle
Information Products - opportunities to learn more
Links - a page with products I use and recommend
Search my Site - search for keywords or topics of interest to you
Ask a Question - ask me a question. I'll answer you and also post the answer on my blog, or post it yourself: http://sweetwaterllc.livejournal.com/ You may email me here: I have a question
A short video on the problems of our water today:
Papers - I include papers about the health effects of various contaminants as well as effective means to remove them using a home water purification system.
Chlorine Creates Toxic By-Products - a study released by the U of Illinois on March 31, 2009
The Dangers of the Alkaline Water Ionizer Fad - released Feb 2009
Which Bottled Water Is the Best? - a comparison of the physical characteristics of bottled water
In Defense of Bottled Water - why are environmentalists in such a tizzy over bottled water?
Pure Water: There's No Such Thing As Pure Water
Low Levels of Arsenic Linked to Diabetes - August 2008
Arsenic Removal Methods - 2006
Western Airborne Contaminants Assessment Project - This project proves the point I make above
The Health Effects of Chlorine - a paper on the various health effects of chlorinated water **
Chlorine is unhealthy: Chlorine Article by NTL
Trihalomethanes (a byproduct of chlorinating water) Induce ColoRectal Cancers - Trihalomethane Study
Chloramines Are More Toxic Than Chlorine: Chloramine Study
How Much Is Too Much Poison In Your Water?: Poison In Your Water
Questions to ask before you drill a new well: Does Your Well Driller Practice Safe Sex?
A paper that illustrates how mercury in water is increasing: Mercury is Spreading
EPA's mercury warnings for various fish species: US FDA - Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish
An interesting paper on fluoride removal methods: Fluoride in Drinking Water
A paper on the effectiveness of various methods to remove arsenic: Arsenic Removal
An article discussing the relationship between alum or Aluminum in water and Alzheimer's Disease
Is hard water good for your heart? Of Stones and Health
Are kidney stones due to drinking water or diet: Kidney Stones and Drinking Water
A study that suggests that there is a positive correlation between Water Hardness and Health
Minerals in Water - A short description of Common minerals in drinking water and how they affect your health
A paper about adding magnesium back into water from which it has been removed: Magnesium and Human Health
What you need to know about Manganese in water
The Structure of Water - A Stanford University Study which shows the molecular structure of water
Removing Pharmaceuticals, Hormones, and Cosmetics from Tap Water - Technology News
There are Cosmetics In Your Water - reprinted from Natural Life Magazine with citations
Performance Clothing - this is a comment on our generation from my son
Deepak Chopra on Aging - reversing or slowing the aging process
Tal Ben-Shahar on Happiness - take these six simple steps to being happy
In the News - Recent Headlines
Airborne Contaminants Raining Down Across the West
The Chemicals Within - Newsweek**
Lead Linked to Premature Aging **
Heat Causes Chemical to Leach from Plastic**
Hydrogen Sulfide Gets a New Look From EPA**
Medical Myths - 7 Medical Myths Even Doctors Believe **
The Sacredness of Water - an annual September event
People are reacting to chloramines in their water
Tap Water Linked to Bladder Cancer in Men **
Pesticides Found in Rivers and Streams Throughout the U.S.
Pesticide Use Linked to Childhood Leukemia
Pesticide Use Linked to Male Infertility
Public Data Shows Chemicals in Tap Water
Unborn Babies Carry Pollutants
Mercury Blows Across the West from Nevada Gold Mines
Pharmaceuticals in our drinking water
Traces of Cocaine in the River Thames
Even Low Levels of Common Contaminants are Dangerous to Your Health **
Pesticide 'Soup' Linked to Amphibian Deaths
Cancerous Growths in Catfish in Maryland Rivers
Report Sparks Fears Over Lead in U.S. Drinking Water
Bottled Water: Nectar of the Frauds
Contaminants in Bottled Water - from the plastic bottle
Development May Spread Old Pesticides
Pharmaceuticals in Rivers Raise Concern
Evidence Suggests That Low Levels of Toxins (as allowed by EPA) Remain Dangerous to Human Health **
Wall Street Journal: EPA Scientists File Complaint Against Continued Approval of Pesticide Use
Swimming in Chlorinated Pools May Increase Risk of Hay Fever
Chlorine in Pools Tied to Lung Problems **
Perchlorate Found in 97% of Breast Milk Samples **
High Mountain lake in Rocky Mountain National Park contains high levels of mercury
Wastewater Treatment Plant in Boulder, CO Changes Downstream Male Fish into Females
Most Tap Water Is Polluted by Municipal Infrastructure **
The Effect of Fluoride on Horses - a You Tube video
Press Releases
What You Can Do, or Can't Do, About Drugs in Your Water
Which Bottled Water is the Best? - May 8, 2007 **
Is Your Water Safe to Drink? - August 24, 2005
There's No Such Thing As Pure Water - November 9, 2005
Ecologist Educates Consumers on Home Water Purification - November 22, 2005
Quote Of The Month
Caffeine was found in more than 160 of 216 samples in water as deep as 640 feet.
"It was everywhere," Schuman said. "There's an effect (from) humans on the sound and it's almost ubiquitous. It's not just at the end of the (discharge) pipe." Read More Here: Vanilla in Your Water
We need to change our ways and stop treating the Great Lakes like a toilet," the report concludes. Sierra Legal Defense Fund Read more here: Sewage Threatening the Great Lakes
Regarding the recent disclosure that male bass in the Potomac River carry eggs:
"If scientists have not yet determined what pollutant is causing a reproductive health problem in fish in the Potomac, how can anyone say it is not in our drinking water?" he asked.
Read more here: EPA chided over 'intersex' fish concerns
"Though the review found that adding fluoride to drinking water helps fight cavities, University of York research fellow Paul Wilson called the overall quality of studies his group analyzed "really poor." Many were biased or used outdated scientific methods, he says, so it's impossible to say whether fluoride is safe or a threat. "There is currently a lack of reliable evidence to make a definitive judgment either way," he says."
From the August issue of Prevention Magazine's article: The Danger In Your Water
Nine thousand EPA scientists have submitted a strongly worded letter to the EPA's Administrator, Stephen Johnson, protesting that "industry pressure" is compromising the "integrity of the science upon which agency decisions are based." Research indicates that these specific organophosphate pesticides, similar in composition to bio-warfare nerve gases, pose serious health threats, especially to babies in the womb, infants, and children, yet most of them are contained in common products used by the average consumer. EPA scientists complain that they are being forced to skip key risk assessment tests on these dangerous toxins due to pressure from the chemical industry. This rebellion inside the EPA comes on the heels of the agency's new controversial regulations that would allow the intentional dosing of pregnant women and children with pesticides. (see the WSJ article above)
An interesting development related to last month's quote:
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 — The Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday that it was recommending new restrictions on thousands of uses of pesticides because of their adverse effects on public health. Read more here: EPA Restricts Pesticide Uses
University of Illinois: "What we soon realized," says Sayers, "is that your colon is like a singles bar. Bacteria are passing around DNA like there's no tomorrow." Read more about this University of Illinois study here: Good Bacteria Gone Bad
Atrazine
Did you know that at 1 part per billion the approved and commonly applied pesticide Atrazine
can cause frogs to grow both male and female sex organs? **
Does that sound like something you want in your water?
Associated Press (March): But simply detecting the presence of a pesticide does not always mean there is reason for concern, said Jay Vroom, president of CropLife America, which represents pesticide developers and manufacturers. He emphasized that the use of pesticides by farmers, ranchers and others is strictly regulated by federal and state laws.
See the remainder of this story here: Pesticides Found in Rivers and Streams Throughout the U.S.
Consumer Reports (February 2006): "A growing body of research shows that pesticides and other contaminants are more prevalent in the foods we eat, in our bodies, and in the environment than we thought..."
Note: There's no doubt at all that Consumer Reports is an excellent source of research information pertaining to cost. I have found their research to be superficial in those cases where my expertise lies and so have to conclude that their advice is often faulty. In the case of this article, they provide some serious warnings about some foods, suggesting organic alternatives. I agree. Their comments about government definitions are good and a serious issue confronting legitimate organic producers today. But their suggestions about what to purchase I find questionable. It all comes down to your supplier and who you trust. For instance, Consumer Reports leaves the impression that 'free range' poultry products may be a scam. I buy and use free range poultry all the time from a supplier I rely on. As usual the larger companies are taking advantage of weak definitions to sell weak product under the guise of misleading words. There are good suppliers providing excellent organic product using the definitions as they were intended. The key: know who you're buying from and whether you trust them or not.
Resources - links to resource pages
What's On My Food? *** - a searchable database to learn what pesticides are on your food
National Pesticide Database - a comprehensive listing by the USDA of pesticide use by state and crop type
Organic Consumers Association - an organization actively working to promote and protect organic standards
Safe Pest Control for Home and Garden - Dr. Frank discusses health impacts of pesticides and suggests alternatives
How to Create Fresh Air Indoors Using Live Plants - by Kamal Meattle
The Many Properties of Water - this is a rather long video about water's natural abilities, such as memory
Healthy Living -
links to healthy products that may help you.Natural Cleaning Methods for Your Home - Free tips and products you can use
EWG Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Vegetables and Fruits - free tips on buying pesticide free
Non-chlorinated swimming pools
- a link for those of you who are interested in swimming without chlorine. This company has asked if I'd be interested in selling their product. You can convert an existing chlorine based system to this ionization technology for only $795. If you're interested in buying, give me a call.
Ask me about my full line of healthy living products - these include: GREAT supplements, some herbs, cleaners, hypo-allergenic bedding, skin care, bath salts, hair care, pain cream, and a great line of residential and commercial air purifiers.
Relocating?
Some resources to select a safe place to live:
Scorecard is an excellent starting place
United States Air Quality maps are available here: http://www.epa.gov/oar/data/geosel.html
The largest sources of pollution into the atmosphere are coal-fired power plants (think Ohio valley-upstream of you) and automobile exhausts (think large cities).
Information Products
Five Steps to Pure Water - my free email series that will teach you how to achieve healthy water in your home.
My Ultimate Guide to Selecting the Appropriate Water Treatment System -
You may purchase my guide for $14.95. My Ultimate Guide will show you how to identify the contaminants in your water and treat them appropriately - Purchase My Ultimate Guide
Reading and Understanding Your Water Quality Report - Look at an actual water quality report and listen to a l
ive recording of me discussing with a client the contaminants listed and how to treat them... Understanding Your City's Water Quality Report
You may search my entire site here:
***
Check back often. This page is updated regularly.
You may return to my water purification products and services here:
"What's in Your Water?"
James P.
McMahon
Ecologist
I study and read and hardly rest, often multi-tasking,
in my quest for knowledge to share with you: my valued client.
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