You wouldn’t knowingly bathe in harsh chemicals that can irritate skin or cause cancer, would you? Of course not. But you might be surprised to learn about some of the dangerous chemicals and irritants lurking in your tap water. The secret to healthy skin and hair might just be using a shower filter to remove these contaminants from your daily shower routine!
One of the most prevalent chemicals in your tap water is chlorine. The EPA requires that trace amounts of chlorine are added to drinking water as a disinfectant and to prevent the spread of disease. However, when you douse your entire body in chlorine (either in a swimming pool or by standing under a shower faucet), it can have drying effects on your skin, hair, and nails. Tap water contains chlorine that can strip your skin and hair of natural oils. Color-treated hair holds its color longer when it is washed in chlorine-free water. The steam and warm water open up pores on the body, which increases absorption of chemicals like chlorine. Chlorine byproducts, such as the chlorine gas chloroform, are simultaneously inhaled while showering. These vapors contribute to indoor air pollution and can trigger or exacerbate asthma and other respiratory problems. The presence of chlorine in tap water has even been linked to an increase risk of certain types of cancers!
The best way to prevent absorbing or breathing in dangerous levels of chlorine is with a shower filter that removes or neutralizes chlorine before it reaches your body. Shower filters can also trap rust, dirt, and other skin irritants, ensuring that the water in your shower is not harming your skin. If you suffer from dry skin, brittle nails, eczema, or other skin conditions, installing a high-quality shower filter is a good first step to addressing the problem. You may find relief and softer, smoother skin in just a few showers!
Tap water can have chlorine levels of up to 4 parts per million and chlorinated water is considered safe for consumption at this level. However, if you would like to remove the chlorine from your water before consuming, you can purchase a water pitcher or faucet attachment with a carbon filter. This may improve the taste and smell of your tap water as well ensure that you are not consuming unnecessary chemicals.
If you are concerned about possible contaminants in your drinking water, you can search for your zip code at https://www.ewg.org/tapwater to see which chemicals and other pollutants have been detected in your area.
