Have you ever wondered what is truly in your Oregon water?
Water Quality can have a tremendous impact on the overall health of your family and your home. That’s why our Wolfer’s team is here to provide you with the contaminants found in Oregon’s water supply that are above health guidelines, according to the EWG’s Water Database listed from the highest number of people exposed to the contaminant to the least.
- Total Trihalomethanes (THHMs)
Trihalomethanes are cancer-causing contaminants that form during water treatment with chlorine and other disinfectants. Here in Oregon, this is the most common contaminant found in our water supply, being served to nearly 3.8 million people. Major health concerns tied to the consumption and use of water containing THHMs include bladder cancer, skin cancer, and harm to fetal growth and development. - Haloacectic Acids (HAA5 & HAA9)
Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. Haloacetic acids are harmful during pregnancy and may increase the risk of cancer. Haloacetic acids are genotoxic, which means that they induce mutations and DNA damage. Multiple studies by the National Toxicology Program have demonstrated the cancer-causing properties of individual haloacetic acids in laboratory animals. - Chromium
Chromium-6, the cancer-causing chemical, was made notorious by the film “Erin Brockovich,” which documented the poisoning of drinking water in Hinkley, CA. Chromium gets into drinking water as pollution from industrial uses, such as a coolant at electrical power stations, but also occurs naturally in some areas. Health concerns directly tied to this chemical include cancer, harm to the liver, and harm to the reproductive system. - Nitrate
Nitrate is one of the most common contaminants in drinking water. It gets into water from fertilizer runoff, manure from animal feeding, and wastewater treatment plant discharge. Tap water in agricultural areas typically has the highest nitrate concentrations. Excessive nitrate water consumption can cause oxygen deprivation in infants and increase the risk of cancer. - Arsenic
Arsenic is a potent carcinogen and has been found in drinking water in all 50 states. Arsenic causes thousands of cases of cancer each year in the U.S., along with being tied to various other health concerns like harm to the central nervous system, skin damage, and changes to the heart and blood vessels. - Chlorate
Chlorate is another contaminant that has been found in drinking water in all 50 states. Chlorate forms in drinking water as a byproduct of disinfection. Chlorate causes hormone disruption by impairing one’s thyroid function. This makes chlorate exposure most harmful during pregnancy and childhood. - Radium
Radium is a radioactive element that causes bone cancer, as well as other cancers, the two most common being radium-226 & radium-228. The EPA estimates that one in every 10,000 people drinking water containing radium at this level would develop cancer over a lifetime. Higher doses of Radium have also been shown to cause anemia, cataracts, broken teeth, and reduced bone growth. - Radon
Radon is the contaminant with the smallest trace found in Oregon’s water supply, being served to 248,909 people. Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from soil and groundwater. It is a common cause of both lung and stomach cancer and is the most common source of radiation exposure in the home. However, finding radon in tap water is much less common than finding it in your indoor air.
Many of us have probably never even heard of these contaminants and weren’t aware of the HUGE impact they can have on our health. Getting your water tested by our team of professionals can begin to rule out what you may be consuming in your water and can encourage you to take proactive steps in installing a water filtration system. It’s time to ensure the quality of your water & health of your family are SECOND TO NONE with a free water test. Call 503-980-9035 or schedule now »