Moderate to heavy consumption of chlorinated tap water by pregnant women
has been linked with miscarriage, birth defects, heart problems, cleft palate,
and major brain defects.a
2
The presence of chlorine in tap water has been linked to the dramatic rise
of heart disease in the United States. Scientists argue that chlorine is
a primary cause of the development of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the
arteries.b
3
Studies show chlorinated water is toxic to human intestinal bacteria, the
body’s natural flora that converts organic compounds in our food into
necessary nutrients.b
4
The American Journal of Epidemiology contains one of a number of
studies that report chlorine disinfection byproducts (DBPs) are responsible
for the increase in rectal and bladder cancers.b
5
Several research journals, including Environmental Health Perspectives,
call the chlorine disinfectant byproduct Mutagen X (or MX) one of the most
deadly carcinogens in tap water.b
6
After large rainstorms, your municipal water center may add more chlorine
to the water supply to treat potentially larger number of microorganisms
due to runoff or sewage discharges.d
7
During the summer, surface water used for drinking contains more organic
material and, as a result, DBP levels are often higher than they are in the
fall and other times of the years.d
8
Chlorinated water increases the amount of heavy metals such as lead and
copper that are leached from pipes into tap water.b
9
Because chlorine is a calcium antagonist, long-term consumption of chlorinated
water has been linked to loss of calcium in bones. Chlorinated tap water
has also been linked to childhood and adult asthma and allergies.b
10
The EPA allows a higher level of chlorine in tap water (4 parts per million/ppm)
than the recommended chlorine levels for public swimming pools (1-3 ppm).c
