How safe is your drinking water? It’s a question that many have asked for years, but that has once again sparked a recent debate.
According to new studies, levels of Atrazine, a weed killer used especially in the summer months by throngs of gardeners, lawn care workers and farmers alike, are at potentially unsafe levels in home drinking water. Water systems data from across the US shows that 33 million Americans have been exposed to atrazine through their home water taps.
But there are, understandably, two sides to the question of how dangerous atrazine is. While some say it’s fine, others claim the chemical can disrupt menstrual cycles and may be associated with birth defects and low birth weight.
How do you know if it’s in your water? The EPA requires water systems to notify residents of the area if the yearly average levels of atrazine exceeds 3 parts per billion. But (here’s where it gets dicey and potentially dangerous) in high use times, particularly during summer months, one-day exposures can jump up as high as 297 parts per billion and water systems are not required to notify anyone.
While pressure is put on the EPA to respond to this issue, how can you stay safe and avoid atrazine at home?
Some say that it’s best to forego tap water in favor of bottled water during summer months when use of the weed killer is at its highest, on crops, lawns, gardens, parks, golf courses, and so on.
But a greener option is to install a home filtration system. Sites like Pure Water for Less sell everything from countertop filtration systems to more advanced reverse osmosis systems. And nearly every grocery and big box store sells affordable tap and pitcher filters.
Arguably, reverse osmosis systems provide the most complete filtration and elimination of unwanted chemicals and residues. They’re also the most expensive; but when you compare the one-time cost to years of buying bottled water, they don’t compare. Not to mention, of course, the savings to our landfills!
To learn more about levels in your area, check the Natural Resources Defense Council’s site where they have mapped levels of atrazine across the US. http://www.nrdc.org/health/atrazine/
Let’s all fight for safer drinking water!
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