OT: Drugs on tap

Dave Hartley · Post by **Dave Hartley** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:28 pm

Hi Shannon,

distillation removes pretty much everything (including all desirable minerals !)

If one chooses to consume significant amounts of distilled water, appropriate supplementation must be considered, as the "vacuum" of that water in ones' system actually leaches minerals OUT of the body..

There are so many different residues !

It is said that a really good RO (reverse osmosis) system (usually includes a few different pre-filters) will work.
See article below

warm wishes,
david 510.776.5914 fax: 510.336.6671
www.holistiq.com
www.DavidHartley.com
I.T. support: www.cafegratitude.com
co-founder: www.GratefulMindandBody.com
web developer: www.iamResourceful.com
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRel ... BW20080311

Reverse Osmosis Systems Treat Pharmaceutical Drinking Water Contaminants

Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:32pm EDT
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AP Investigation Unveils Prescription Drug Remnants;

Findings Prompt Increased Concern Over Water Treatment Methods
HANOVER PARK, Ill.--(Business Wire)--
A breaking investigation by The Associated Press found that at
least 41 million Americans are being exposed to trace pharmaceuticals
in their drinking water supplies. This report signals that now is a
better time than ever for Americans to consider advanced water
filtration options for their sustained health and safety.

During the five-month investigation, prescription drugs such as
sex hormones, antibiotics, anti-convulsants and mood stabilizers were
detected in the water supplies of 24 major metropolitan areas.
Everpure, LLC, the leading authority in drinking water treatment,
offers a wide array of commercial grade water filtration systems
expressly designed to eradicate dangerous contaminants from tap water
in the home.

A growing number of studies show that, even in low dosages,
pharmaceutical drug remnants may be damaging to humans. Because the
federal government has not established safety limits for drugs found
in drinking water, consumers are left largely responsible for the
safeguarding of water sources.

Because removing pharmaceutical traces from water is logistically
challenging, reverse osmosis is widely agreed upon as the best
available treatment method. With Everpure's Reverse Osmosis III (ROM
III) system, water first undergoes the reverse osmosis procedure
(effectively filtering out the heavier molecular particles common in
many pharmaceutical drugs), then passes through a granular-activated
carbon membrane, which serves to filter out smaller impurities. The
ROM III system also removes contaminants such as arsenic, lead,
copper, sodium, nitrate/nitrite, fluoride, cysts, dissolved solids and
chlorine taste and odor.

Although many under-sink filters contain activated carbon, the
carbon membrane does not remain in contact with water long enough to
sufficiently remove pharmaceutical remnants. With the news of this AP
investigation, some consumers may turn to bottled water as a solution,
yet many companies simply bottle filtered tap water with no systems in
place to test and treat the presence of pharmaceuticals. Since reverse
osmosis is exceedingly expensive to execute on large-scale supplies,
drinking water treatment plants frequently employ chlorine, a chemical
that may make pharmaceuticals even more toxic to humans.

"Bottled water and instant filtration cartridges are no longer a
viable match against today's complex drinking water contaminants,"
said Eleni Yianas, director of residential marketing for Everpure.
"Everpure's Reverse Osmosis Systems offers water that is both clean
and delicious, because consumers should never have to wonder what,
exactly, their families are drinking."

d_rona2000 · Post by **d_rona2000** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:16 am

I just finished teaching a course on water and am in the process of writing a book - so I have information on file on the current filtration systems. Here is a very abbreviated summary:
Distilled is best. Get your minerals via organic sources for best bio-availibility. Distillation removes all inorganic salts and destroys bacterial an viral contaminants. Can concentrate some volatile chemical contaminants so the setup must be just right. Requires a lot of energy and output is relatively low.

Good activated charcoal filters are the least expensive method, removing foul tastes and odors, some carcinogens and hazardous chemicals such as insecticides, chlorine, chloroform, iodine and formaldehyde. Dos not remove bacteria, cysts, heavy metals, nitrates, asbstos, other fine particles. Simple bur careful maintance required to prevent runaway bacteria growth on media. Biggest problem - since they remove 'taste' of contaminants you may be falsly thinking it actually removed the contaminants.

Bacteriostatic charcoal filters suppress growth of bacteria within the charcoal bed. Same disadvantages of charcoal filter and there is no way of knowing when the effectiveness is depleated. May wind up adding silver to the water.

Carbon block filters remove foul tastes and odors, most carcinogens and hazardous chemicals, bacteria, cysts, asbestos, and other fine particles. Do not remove nitrates or heavy metal, chlorine by- products or hydrogen sulfide.

Reverse-osmosis removes nitrates, asbestos, fluorides, sodim and other dissolved salts. They remove heavy metals, chlorine and DBPs - do not work well if water is cold or pressure is low. Usually require chlorine process as part of the full system - more expensive to maintain properly.

Ultraviolet - destroys bacteria but leaves chemicals, odors, tastes, and even asbestos.

Ozonation - effective in destroying bacteria and some viruses. Oxidizes iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfides reducing them to isoluable forms that are then filtered. Does not remove nitrates, sulfates or heavy metals.

Bottled water - might be better than tap - but also might be tap water sold in pretty bottles.
That's a quick summary of the current varieties. There are a few other specialty filters/purification techniques but they tend to be expensive and require a lot of maintance at this time.

Bottom line - DO NOT DRINK TAP WATER.

Donna

D C Rona, PhD, ND, DHM
-----------------------------------------
Stress Repertory: Signs and Symptoms of Stress Induced Nutrient Depletion
http://stores.lulu.com/drrona
also available at bookstores and online booksellers
New series - Health and Healing Journals - just released!

--- In minutus@yahoogroups.com, david hartley wrote:

Dave Hartley · Post by **Dave Hartley** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:28 am

Wow ! thanks Donna,

Please post additional information as available.

What do you know about various "alkaline water" setups ?
warm wishes,
david 510.776.5914 fax: 510.336.6671
www.holistiq.com
www.DavidHartley.com
I.T. support: www.cafegratitude.com
co-founder: www.GratefulMindandBody.com
web developer: www.iamResourceful.com

Shannon Nelson · Post by **Shannon Nelson** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:03 pm

Thanks Donna, this is great!

Just to add re reverse osmosis, you wrote: "do not work well if water
is cold or pressure is low. Usually require chlorine process as part of
the full system - more expensive to maintain properly."

We have a system on low pressure, and part of it is a "booster" tank
and/or pump, which apparently solves the problem. Re chlorine, I
notice that it's part of the yearly (we tend to go longer) cleaning and
filter maintenance, which I don't like, but no chlorine is involved
other than that. At least not so far as I'm aware. It's a
water-waster (I think the system discards more in waste than it
delivers for drinking!), but does the job. I'd love to find a better
way to get nitrates out!

Shannon

d rona · Post by **d rona** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:05 pm

Hello David,

From my research it would appear that the best route is to get water as pure as possible, and get the various minerals from organic sources (inorganic minerals are not well absorbed and in some cases toxic). The body wants a stable pH in the blood and fluid systems. In the digestive system, the body carefully regulates acid and base environments to accomplish specific chemical tasks. When we mess with that system we get into trouble. There are areas of naturally occurring alkaline waters and there seems to be no evidence they are any ‘healthier’ – and even some to the contrary. Thus far anyone associated with websites or flyers listing the ‘benefits’ of alkalinized water are selling water treatment units.
Donna
D C Rona, PhD, ND, DHM

-----------------------------------------

Stress Repertory: Signs and Symptoms of Stress Induced Nutrient Depletion

http://stores.lulu.com/drrona

also available at bookstores and online booksellers

New series - Health and Healing Journals - just released!
________________________________

From: minutus@yahoogroups.com [mailto:minutus@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of david hartley
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 12:29 AM
To: minutus@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Minutus] Re: OT: Drugs on tap
Wow ! thanks Donna,
Please post additional information as available.
What do you know about various "alkaline water" setups ?
warm wishes,
david 510.776.5914 fax: 510.336.6671
www.holistiq.com
www.DavidHartley.com
I.T. support: www.cafegratitude.com
co-founder: www.GratefulMindandBody.com
web developer: www.iamResourceful.com
I just finished teaching a course on water and am in the process of writing a book - so I have information on file on the current filtration systems. Here is a very abbreviated summary:

/ / / / / / / /

Bob Needham · Post by **Bob Needham** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:18 pm

Hi Donna
Great summary - what do you think about using a chlorine test to measure the effectiveness of a charcoal filter..... or is that too specific for Chlorine itself ?

Bob Needham HBSc. DHM.
Homeopathic Practitioner
" Each progressive spirit is opposed by a thousand mediocre minds appointed to guard the past"
________________________________

d rona · Post by **d rona** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:19 pm

Hello Shannon,
The exact chemistry of the setup (i.e. use of chlorine as part of your ‘treatment plan’) depends on your water and your storage container arrangement. I’m sure you have had yours tested and do all the proper maintenance. Most home unit users get complacent and forget to check. Unfortunately the water that is coming in to homes is not consistent and the back pressure introducing contaminants from the pipes into the containment vessel is also not consistent from one setup to the next.
At this point I avoid these RO home units because of an unknown in the chemical processing of the membranes. Home units use either cellulose acetate (CA) or cellulose tri-acetate (CTA) membranes. ; the CTA are less expensive and resistant to chlorine, but have lower rejection rate and do not purify as well – and are easily damaged by bacteria in the water]. However both are treated with 1,4 diozane to etch the small pores in the filter material. 1,4 dioxane is a colorless solvent which is known to be extremely toxic when inhaled or absorbed by skin contact and is ranked with benzene, DDT, formaldehyde, mustard gas, etc. on most toxic chemical lists. Since most users of these home units are using municipal waters that contain chlorine – and the chlorine speeds the degradation of the membranes (treated with this chemical), I am concerned about the potential for introducing additional toxic chemicals into the system. No government data is available on how many gallons it takes to purge the chemical from the membranes after manufacture, or the breakdown when exposed to municipal water. The thin film composite (TFC) filters are less often used, even though they are better filters, because they are so easily degraded by chlorine in the incoming water.
As you have observed, the fact that they waste 4 to 9 gallons for every gallon of drinking water produced is a great concern. But also, the ‘waste’ water is more concentrated in pollutants – so then the question is – is that good stewardship to dispose of water containing more concentrated pollutants?
Of course, the biggest problem with RO units is the tendency to grow all sorts of nasties in the holding tanks.
Donna
D C Rona, PhD, ND, DHM

-----------------------------------------

Stress Repertory: Signs and Symptoms of Stress Induced Nutrient Depletion

http://stores.lulu.com/drrona

also available at bookstores and online booksellers

New series - Health and Healing Journals - just released!
________________________________

From: minutus@yahoogroups.com [mailto:minutus@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Shannon & Bob Nelson
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 7:04 AM
To: minutus@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Minutus] Re: OT: Drugs on tap
Thanks Donna, this is great!

Just to add re reverse osmosis, you wrote: "do not work well if water is cold or pressure is low. Usually require chlorine process as part of the full system - more expensive to maintain properly."

We have a system on low pressure, and part of it is a "booster" tank and/or pump, which apparently solves the problem. Re chlorine, I notice that it's part of the yearly (we tend to go longer) cleaning and filter maintenance, which I don't like, but no chlorine is involved other than that. At least not so far as I'm aware. It's a water-waster (I think the system discards more in waste than it delivers for drinking!), but does the job. I'd love to find a better way to get nitrates out!

Shannon
I just finished teaching a course on water and am in the process of writing a book - so I have information on file on the current filtration systems. Here is a very abbreviated summary:

Distilled is best. Get your minerals via organic sources for best bio-availibility. Distillation removes all inorganic salts and destroys bacterial an viral contaminants. Can concentrate some volatile chemical contaminants so the setup must be just right. Requires a lot of energy and output is relatively low.

Good activated charcoal filters are the least expensive method, removing foul tastes and odors, some carcinogens and hazardous chemicals such as insecticides, chlorine, chloroform, iodine and formaldehyde. Dos not remove bacteria, cysts, heavy metals, nitrates, asbstos, other fine particles. Simple bur careful maintance required to prevent runaway bacteria growth on media. Biggest problem - since they remove 'taste' of contaminants you may be falsly thinking it actually removed the contaminants.

Bacteriostatic charcoal filters suppress growth of bacteria within the charcoal bed. Same disadvantages of charcoal filter and there is no way of knowing when the effectiveness is depleated. May wind up adding silver to the water.

Carbon block filters remove foul tastes and odors, most carcinogens and hazardous chemicals, bacteria, cysts, asbestos, and other fine particles. Do not remove nitrates or heavy metal, chlorine by- products or hydrogen sulfide.

Reverse-osmosis removes nitrates, asbestos, fluorides, sodim and other dissolved salts. They remove heavy metals, chlorine and DBPs - do not work well if water is cold or pressure is low. Usually require chlorine process as part of the full system - more expensive to maintain properly.

Ultraviolet - destroys bacteria but leaves chemicals, odors, tastes, and even asbestos.

Ozonation - effective in destroying bacteria and some viruses. Oxidizes iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfides reducing them to isoluable forms that are then filtered. Does not remove nitrates, sulfates or heavy metals.

Bottled water - might be better than tap - but also might be tap water sold in pretty bottles.

That's a quick summary of the current varieties. There are a few other specialty filters/purification techniques but they tend to be expensive and require a lot of maintance at this time.

Bottom line - DO NOT DRINK TAP WATER.

Donna

D C Rona, PhD, ND, DHM
-----------------------------------------
Stress Repertory: Signs and Symptoms of Stress Induced Nutrient Depletion
http://stores.lulu.com/drrona
also available at bookstores and online booksellers
New series - Health and Healing Journals - just released!
--- In

Tanya Marquette · Post by **Tanya Marquette** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:31 pm

so it sounds like water is an unsafe but necessary component of life these days.
and it also sounds like there are no systems for filtration that are terribly useful.
i do water testing for people as part of my

d rona · Post by **d rona** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:37 pm

Hello Bob,
Any test can be useful – if for nothing else it keeps your mind on the quality of the water you are using. If you have already had your water tested and know that chlorine is the only problem – then it is very useful to track the system cleaning of your municipal water source. Some areas do a regular ‘flush’ and others treat based on the test results from their sources (surface waters or ground waters) and also based on the various construction and ‘accident’ activities in their service areas. Much depends on your water source and climate.
Donna
D C Rona, PhD, ND, DHM

-----------------------------------------

Stress Repertory: Signs and Symptoms of Stress Induced Nutrient Depletion

http://stores.lulu.com/drrona

also available at bookstores and online booksellers

New series - Health and Healing Journals - just released!
________________________________

From: minutus@yahoogroups.com [mailto:minutus@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of bob needham
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 8:19 AM
To: minutus@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Minutus] Re: OT: Drugs on tap
Hi Donna
Great summary - what do you think about using a chlorine test to measure the effectiveness of a charcoal filter..... or is that too specific for Chlorine itself ?
Bob Needham HBSc. DHM.
Homeopathic Practitioner
“ Each progressive spirit is opposed by a thousand mediocre minds appointed to guard the past”
________________________________

Bob Needham · Post by **Bob Needham** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:01 pm

Good points - the amount of variables are a big problem in the selection of system and even then ???? Tks
Bob Needham HBSc. DHM.
Homeopathic Practitioner
" Each progressive spirit is opposed by a thousand mediocre minds appointed to guard the past"
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________