Water Studies

"The pesticides found most frequently in drinking water are triazine herbicides. These chemicals have been linked with health problems ranging from developmental abnormalities, birth defects, genetic mutations and reproductive and other cancers. 'I am particularly concerned about the risks these chemicals pose to infants and children', said Dr. David Rall, M.D., P.H.D., Director of the Science and Environmental Health Project Of Physicians for Social Responsibility."..."Cancer is only one possible health effect of chemical pollution. Scientists have only recently begun to pay attention to endocrine, immune system, reproductive or developmental effects of toxins, especially on children."

Text of Statement on Report on Water Toxins", Henderson, C., Cancer Researcher Weekly, Oct 31 '94, p11.

"The minerals found in water are insignificant, compared to those found in food"

Henry A. Schroeder, M.D., World Health Organization, authority on minerals

"Chemicals found in drinking water come from three possible origins - source water, the water treatment process itself, or the water distribution system. Chemicals in the source water include naturally occurring substances (like sodium, arsenic, and mercury), natural and man-made radioactive materials (such as uranium and radon), and man-made chemicals (such as pesticides). These chemicals can be picked up by rain water as it falls, or by underground water as it percolates through soil and rocks. Certain chemicals (such as chlorine) are deliberately added to water to kill microorganisms - bacteria and viruses. This can result in the formation of other chemicals such as trihalomethanes (THMs) during the process of treatment at the waterworks. Other substances (such as lead or copper) may come from the pipe materials used to distribute the water to consumers."

"More recently , scientists have focused attention on other types of chemicals detected in drinking water supplies - organic chemicals. Some of these are pollutants that are often found in low concentrations in our rivers and lakes. Others are actually formed by the action of chemicals used to treat our water to make it more fit for drinking. Because of the large number of pesticides used in agriculture today, rivers and lakes in intensively farmed regions tend to pick up such chemicals as they run off the areas of application. Other industrial chemicals can also find their way into surface and ground water sources from waste discharges and improper disposal practices. Some of these chemicals are carcinogens, others can cause a variety of adverse health effects."

"Chemicals in Drinking Water", Toft, P., World Health, Sept-Oct '93, p14.