Water is the elixir of life, necessary to survive, and is essential to our very existence.

Seldom when we think of water would we think of a cigarette in comparison. Cigarettes are known killers and the common perception of a cigarette would seem to fall on the opposite end of the heath spectrum if compared to drinking water. After all we associate drinking water with health, weight loss, and fitness. Cigarettes can be assimilated to falling victim to an early demise.

So what could a cigarette possibly have in common with the tap water in your home that you may be drinking?

Tap water may contain at least 3 chemicals that are also found in cigarettes.

1. Arsenic – It is stated on the CDC website that arsenic may be found in drinking water in the United States. “People are most likely to be exposed to inorganic arsenic through drinking water and to a lesser extent through various foods. Water sources in some parts of the United States have higher naturally occurring levels of inorganic arsenic than other areas. Other sources of inorganic arsenic exposure include contact with contaminated soil or with wood preserved with arsenic.” Arsenic is not a chemical you would want to ingest considering the multitude of cancer types and negative health effects it may cause.

2. Lead – With recent events like the Flint Water Crisis causing widespread awareness that drinking water contamination from lead is very real, people know that it is imperative to protect their families, since warnings are not always issued in a timely manner. Here is what the CDC had to say about the risk of lead in drinking water being a health concern for young children. “Lead exposure remains a health concern for young children in the United States. Risk varies across the country, but because there are often no obvious symptoms, the exposure frequently goes unrecognized. Even low levels of lead in children’s blood have been shown to affect intelligence, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement.” Keeping unsafe levels of lead out of your drinking water is essential for the health of your family.

3. DDT (Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane) – If you would rather avoid possible reproductive issues or possible liver damage then it would be wise to avoid drinking this insecticide. Formerly used in the 1940’s to prevent disease carried by insects, DDT is also known to increase the risk of developing cancer.

It can be quite alarming to learn that cigarettes and tap water may share these 3 hazardous chemicals. Preventing unsafe contaminants from flowing into your home is possible by using a Reverse Osmosis System. Learn more about Reverse Osmosis here.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0624-water-lead.html

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/BIOMONITORING/Arsenic_FactSheet.html

Source: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/12-toxins-in-your-drinking-water/

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2016/03/16/what-lead-levels-in-water-mean/81534336/http://www.quitsmokingsupport.com/whatsinit.htm