We drink it every day, but
few of us really know what is in the tap water we’re drinking…
The two main
additives found in Australian tap water are fluoride and chlorine. Australia is one of the many countries that
have water fluoridation programs currently operating. As of March 2012,
artificially fluoridated drinking water is provided to 70% or more of the
population in all states and territories. The government acceptance of the
benefits of water fluoridation occurred in Australia in December 1953, roughly
two years after government acceptance in the United States. Water fluoridation
commenced in Adelaide in 1971. Fluoride
is injected into drinking water supplies at various locations around Australia
in the form of sodium silicofluoride and sodium hexafluorosilicic with the
experts promoting its benefits in tap water as it protects our teeth against
decay.
Chlorine is
a simple, reliable, effective and relatively inexpensive way to protect
drinking water supplies against contamination by micro-biological
organisms. Above all, it has been deemed
safe to drink as long as the level of chlorine does not exceed 5mg/L per the
recommendation of our government health departments. However many medical practitioners and health
professionals have raised their concerns about the efficacy and safety of water
fluoridation and the levels of chlorine in our water. Recent international research has linked chlorinated
tap water to birth defects and some health experts have
warned that water sources may contain by-products, called
trihalomethanes (THMs), which form when the chlorine reacts with organic matter
in the water. Many THMs are generally referred to as ‘disinfection by-products’
and are considered carcinogenic.
The argument
that fluoridated water is beneficial in preventing tooth decay, especially in
children, is becoming tired. Research
has now shown us that high levels of fluoride can cause fluoridosis or tooth
decay. Fluoride and Fluoridation has also been said to cause cancer based on
studies carried out in America in 1980. In
2010 the CDC (Centre for Disease Control) released information that dental
fluorosis was a problem for 41% of children in the United States between the
ages of 12-15. Although experts argue
that fluoridation in our tap water at safe levels for human consumption; they
do not take into account that fluoride accumulates in the body. It adverse health effects have been
associated with arthritis, as well as impacting on thyroid and pineal gland
function. There have been many
government sponsored reports in the US, England and Canada that have reviewed
the various aspects of fluoridation and all have questioned the practice. UNICEF warns of fluorides negative effects
while the American Medical Association is NOT prepared to state that no harm
will be done to any person by water fluoridation.
There
is some hope in the fight against water fluoridation in Australia. An outstanding ban on artificial water
fluoridation has been upheld in the Australian coastal town of Byron Bay which
was backed by local residents, scientists, dentists and city officials. The
Fluoride Action Network reports that the Byron Shire Council ended up voting
five-to-three to uphold the fluoride ban, relying on modern science which shows
that fluoridation is both harmful and ineffective.
Flouride and
chlorine may not be the only harmful components of tap water. Households may also find traces of heavy
metals in their tap water, depending on the quality of the pipes the water is
transported in. There may also be calcium carbonate levels which is what leads
to the terms 'hard' and 'soft' water.
So next time
you poor yourself a glass of tap water ask yourself is this really the best
choice of water for your health? There
are many water filtration systems available that are a long term solution other
than buying bottled water. We suggest
investing in a higher quality filtration system as standard carbon filters will
only remove up to 40% of fluoride in the water.
Aqua Safe are an Australian owned and operated water filtered company
that provide water filtering solutions that will remove 90% or more fluoride in
tap water. For more information on water
filter options visit their website at www.aquasafe.com.au.
References: New research published in The Lancet by researchers from the Harvard
School of Public Health (HSPH) and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai (ISMMS)