Water filters in kitchen sinks are pretty common sightings in American houses, but when you venture into the bathrooms, you will rarely see shower filters installed therein. For most people, shower filters are luxuries because they are thought to be expensive. And we do not really see water that come out of the shower as “drinking water” so we think that we don’t need to filter what doesn’t go inside our body. But even if we don’t take huge gulps of water from the shower, tap water can still enter our body through our pores. So what’s in that tap water and why do we need to filter it?
Tap water is chlorinated.
Chlorine is added to water to kill harmful microorganisms, but at the other end of the spectrum, the same chlorine harms our hair and skin. Chlorine kills skin cells when it chemically binds to the proteins in our hair and skin. Notice how your scalp has become itchy and dry. If your hair has been colored, curled or undergone any chemical treatments, it becomes more susceptible to damage by chlorine. Using a shower filter can reduce chlorine in the water.
Hard water deposits and soap scum are skin irritants.
Hard water deposits are white residues that remain after water evaporates, while soap scum is a mixture of minerals and soap. Put these two substances in your hair, and you get stiff and unmanageable hair. Shower filters have a softening effect that transforms hard ions to a more soluble form so the filtered water rinses your hair clean, without the stiffness and dryness.
Chlorine can contribute to air pollution at home.
The Environmental Protection Agency states that US households have increasing levels of chloroform in the air due to chlorine that has evaporated from shower water. As you shower, chlorine quickly evaporates and mixes with the other substances in the air in your home. The polluted air circulates indoor without proper ventilation and can cause certain respiratory conditions such as asthma. Shower filters eliminate chlorine evaporation to avoid contaminating your indoor air.
Chlorine can irritate our eyes.
Our eyes are exposed to the water and can get irritated by the chlorine. It can cause redness and discomfort to your eyes, especially if you wear contact lenses after you shower. These effects are not surprising as tap water often contains at least as much, if not more, chlorine than is recommended for use in swimming pools.
Chlorine can cause illnesses and premature aging.
The skin is the largest organ in our body, and it is certainly exposed to water toxins when we shower. Hot water opens up our pores, which makes it easier for our skin to absorb chemicals and other substances into our body. These toxins will build up in our body and cause us illnesses in the long run. According to medical studies, women with breast cancer are found to have 50-60% more chlorine in their breast tissue. Not only that, but chlorine can cause a variety of other health issues, including premature aging, throat irritations, heart diseases, and respiratory complications.
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Jaimee Garner is passionate about sharing her household ideas and information for homemakers who want to make healthy changes in their homes. She is a guest contributor from a manufacturer and distributor of water filters and water purification systems.