How Water Impacts Our Health

Bathing & Showering

  • Absorption through skin

  • Inhalation of steam in shower

Cooking & Drinking

  • Ingestion of drinking water

  • Inhalation of steam when boiling water

  • Inhalation of steam from dishwasher

  • Contamination of dishes when washing

Laundry & Clothing

  • Contamination of clothes

  • Absorption through skin

Common Contaminants

What's In My Water? Click Here To Find Out

  • Risks:

    1. Increased cancer risk to bladder, lungs, and skin

    2. Non-cancerous harm to skin and lungs

    3. Can contaminate food

    Source(s):

    1. Naturally occurring

  • Risks:

    1. Irritative to skin, eyes and nose

    2. Anemia

    3. Stomach cramping

    Source(s):

    1. Water treatment

  • Risks:

    1. Irritative to skin, eyes and nose

    2. Respiratory irritation

    3. Asthma

    4. Food allergies

    5. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain

    Source(s):

    1. Water treatment

    2. Swimming pools

  • Risks:

    1. Increased cancer risk

    Source(s):

    1. Naturally Occurring

  • Risks:

    1. Central nervous system effects

    2. Toxic to thyroid

    Source(s):

    1. Chemical industrial waste

    2. Metal mining

    3. Contaminated runoff

  • Risks:

    1. Increased cancer risk

    2. Difficulty during pregnancy

    3. Decreased hemoglobin levels and other hematologic effects.

    Source(s):

    1. Byproduct of water treatment using chorine or chloramine

    Categories:

    1. Haloacetic Acids

    2. Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

    3. Others

  • Risks:

    1. Increased cancer risk

    2. Impeded neurodevelopment in children

    3. Impacts cognitive function

    4. Impacts thyroid function

    Source(s):

    1. Industrial byproduct added to water

    2. Naturally occurring

  • Risks:

    1. Elevated blood pressure

    2. Decreased kidney function

    3. Reproductive issues (men and women)

    4. Cognitive issues

    5. Hyperactivity and behavioral issues in children

    Source(s):

    1. Lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures

  • Risks:

    1. Increased cancer risk

    2. Liver damage

    3. Impacts thyroid function

    4. Premature puberty

    5. Endocrine disruption

    6. Impacts Immune system

    Source(s):

    1. Consumer products

    Perfluorinated chemicals are used in many consumer products. Perfluorinated chemicals can cause serious health effects, including cancer, endocrine disruption, accelerated puberty, liver and immune system damage, and thyroid changes. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and they accumulate in people.

  • Risks:

    1. Increased cancer risk, specifically bone cancer

    Source(s):

    1. Radioactivity

  • Risks:

    1. Increased cancer risk

    2. Damaged blood cells

    3. Impacts nervous system

    Source(s):

    1. Petroleum processing

    2. Landfills

    3. Underground storage

    4. Runoff

    Common VOCs:

    1. Pesticides

    2. Solvents

    3. Fuels

    4. Tetrachloroethylene (dry cleaning chemical)

    5. Benzene