Birth control has been in our drinking water since the FDA approved the first oral contraceptive in 1960. At the time we had no idea of the effects it would have on our environment, but alarming data and statistics have been rising to the surface.
One question that has perturbed Americans is whether or not our tap water is safe to drink. There are arguments both ways, but the facts and statistics are pointing to some alarming studies.
For example, in 2008, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) tested water across nine states and found that 85 man-made chemicals were ending up in our tap water, including estrogen from birth control, runoff, and other toxins.
Why is this Important
Anthropogenic contaminants in water can impose risks to reproductive health: both for animals and humans. Most anthropogenic contaminants are known to be endocrine-disrupting chemicals or EDCs. In short, water safety and quality are fundamental to animal and human development and well-being.
Studies have shown that the contaminants present in water can impair development, fertility, and reproductive function in non-human mammals, humans, and aquatic wildlife. For instance, exposure to water disinfection byproducts in drinking water can cause cardiac anomalies in developing rat and porcine embryos.
Facts and Stats About Hormones & Birth Control
- Birth-control pills could add 10 million doses of hormones to our wastewater every day – some of which end up in our tap water according to Seth Siegal’s book called “Troubled Water.”
- Hormones from birth-control pills travel through showers, toilets, and washing machines into local wastewater facilities.
- In the US alone, around 15 million women regularly take birth-control pills that rely on a synthetic form of estrogen known as EE2.
- While a 2010 study determined that birth-control pills account for less than 1% of the total amount of estrogen found in drinking water, this data has remained inconclusive because EE2 was not tested for.
- Other man-made compounds, such as anti-depressants, make it into our wastewater as well. And as Siegel told Business Insider, “No one is giving a cow Zoloft.”
- Some studies have shown that exposure to EE2 has caused fish to become less fertile across generations. Others have shown male fish developing female hormone marks such as ovaries.
The question isn’t whether or not hormones and birth control are in our water supply; they are already there! In fact, there are even estrogen-mimicking compounds in bottled water! The question is can we remove them from water treatment plants so as not to further harm our environment.
Keep in mind that medicines should not be flushed down the sink or toilet. The best way to get rid of hormones and birth control is via household garbage. The garbage is taken to landfills which are lined to keep such contaminants inside.
According to Cathy Sherman of Natural News, a natural health website, installing a reverse osmosis system augmented by pre-and post-activated carbon filters would be the best choice in providing your family with clean drinking water almost completely free of hormones and birth control.
If you’d like a complementary hassle-free quote on a water filtration system in your home, don’t hesitate to give us a call! (417) 881-4000. We will have one of our techs come out and provide you with a free quote!
About Aquasani Water Purification Systems
Aquasani is an authorized dealer for Rainsoft, WaterLogic, & JavaSmart. Based in Springfield, Mo., and at Lake of the Ozarks / Osage Beach in Missouri, Aquasani services areas in the Ozarks including Osage Beach, Camdenton, Aurora and even Jefferson City. In essence, we service Mid-Missouri, Southwest Missouri, and Northwest Arkansas, and have been servicing these areas since 2004. We provide home water softener systems, drinking water filtration systems, whole-house air purification systems, and problem-solving water filtration systems for homes and offices. We also service other water softeners like Culligan, Sterling, Hydroquad, Pro-Series, and Whirlpool to name a few!
Aside from our purification systems, we also sell all-natural cleaning products and household items which are environmentally friendly and low-cost.
We specialize in water filtration and purification for both commercial businesses and residential homes. If that isn’t enough, we provide free trials for our water cooler services. If you would like a free estimate, schedule an appointment with us by calling (417) 881-4000 or (573) 692-4009 if you are in the Lake of the Ozarks area.
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