‘Is it safe to drink tap water?’: Ask a doctor

‘Is it safe to drink tap water?’: Ask a doctor


According to a recent report Contaminated water supply in the Dallas-Fort Worth area — which prompted residents to be warned earlier this week not to use water from their taps — has sparked general safety concerns.

According to local reports, the city of Grand Prairie, Texas announced on Tuesday that firefighting foam was found in the water, and then announced on Thursday that the water was safe to drink.

Fox News Digital spoke to experts about the potential dangers Unfiltered tap water,

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According to board-certified Dr. Brinna Connor, in general, tap water is safe to drink. family medicine physician Dr. in Frisco, Texas and ambassador for NorthwestPharmacy.com – “As long as it is from the public water system and there are no active boil water advisories issued by local health committees and/or water companies.”

In general, most experts agree that drinking tap water is safe, although it does carry some degree of risk. (iStock)

“The public water system in the United States is one of the safest in the world, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which ensures that water in public systems meets federal standards for safe consumption,” Connor told Fox News Digital.

However, in some cases, drinking unfiltered tap water may be associated with a number of risks, including various diseases affecting the gastrointestinal system, nervous system, and nervous system. reproductive systemAccording to Connor.

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“Additionally, there are potential risks from drinking unfiltered tap water, including lead poisoning and hepatitis, nitrate contamination and exposure to fluoride,” he added.

Infants, the elderly and sick people Weak immune system The doctor said children are particularly vulnerable to the potential dangers of drinking unfiltered tap water.

tap water

A doctor warned that in some cases, drinking unfiltered tap water could affect the gastrointestinal system, nervous system and reproductive system. (iStock)

Jennifer Dunphy, a public health doctor and co-founder of the WIN Network in Los Angeles, California, agrees. Most tap water is considered safe to drink because it’s regulated by standards that limit the amount of harmful chemicals to a minimum — but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t pose any risks.

“Just because tap water doesn’t cause immediate health problems doesn’t mean there aren’t concerns about long-term health consequences,” he told Fox News Digital.

“The United States’ public water system is one of the safest in the world.”

The doctor warned that tap water may contain traces of chemicals such as chlorine and arsenic.

“These chemicals can accumulate in the body over time, and there is conflicting evidence about whether they pose long-term health risks,” Dunphy said.

woman drinking water

“If you are drinking well water, first ask the owner if they are monitoring for any contamination,” one doctor advised. (iStock)

Cherilyn Davis, M.D., a physician at Elliston Pediatrics in New York, reiterated that it’s generally safe to drink tap water in the U.S., but she added that Rule These rules do not apply to privately owned wells.

“If you’re drinking well water, ask the owner beforehand whether they’re monitoring for any contamination,” he advised.

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If unfiltered tap water contains contaminants, drinking it can cause health problems like upset stomach, vomiting, etc. to name a few. Diarrhea and nauseaDavis warned.

Other symptoms may include headache or fever.

Water Filtration System

According to experts, one way to deal with potential chemicals is to use a home filtration system. (iStock)

“If unfiltered water has high levels of lead, it can lead to the following problems: children’s learning problems,” He said.

“Chemicals and pollutants may reach the water simply because they are naturally present in the environment, or it may happen because of handling practices on the land or malfunctions in nearby sewer or wastewater treatment systems.”

filtering out pollutants

One way to deal with potential chemicals is to use a home filtration system.

“There are a number of inexpensive filtration systems that can filter out or reduce the amount of chemicals left in your drinking water,” Dunphy said.

He stressed that when choosing a system, it is important to ensure that the system is efficient in filtering the chemicals in question.

water filter pitcher

“If you don’t want to install a complete filtration system, you can use a faucet filter, point-of-use filter, or pitcher filter,” one doctor said. (iStock)

“For example, only some filters remove arsenic, while some specialized filtration systems focus on chlorine,” he said.

Experts agreed that filtration is especially important for people who use well water.

“If you’re getting your tap water from a private well, it’s important to test the water regularly to make sure it’s safe,” Connor advised.

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“Well water can easily become contaminated with heavy metals, bacteria, parasites, pesticides and/or herbicides, or other contaminants such as plutonium, uranium or radium.”

The doctor advised that people who live in areas where water has high levels of contaminants or where lead-contaminated water is available should also consider a filtration system.

child is drinking water

According to one doctor, filtration is especially important for people with health concerns, people with weakened immune systems, and young children. (iStock)

“If you don’t want to install a complete filtration system, you can use a faucet-mounted filter, point-of-use filter or pitcher filter,” he adds.

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Dr. Joseph Mercola, a board-certified family medicine osteopathic physician in Florida, agrees that using a home filtration system is a “smart move” that can help improve the taste and provide “peace of mind.”

Filtration is especially important for people who have Health concernsAccording to the doctor, this medicine is for people with weak immune system and small children.

happy beautiful young woman drinking water

Experts recommend testing tap water regularly, which will help you choose the best filter for contaminants in your area. (iStock)

“My understanding is that reverse osmosis systems are very efficient, removing up to 99% of contaminants,” he told Fox News Digital. “If that’s not an option, activated carbon filters with ion exchange can also work well.”

Mercola recommends choosing a filter certified by NSF International to ensure it is effective.

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Davis said while it’s not absolutely necessary to use a filtration system, it can still help filter out any toxins. germs or contaminants,

“Some substances in tap water are good for drinking, such as fluoride, which keeps your teeth healthy,” he said.

“Look for filters that remove only the unwanted components of tap water.”

Experts say testing is crucial

Mercola emphasized that it’s important to understand what’s in your water.

woman holding her stomach

An expert has warned that drinking unfiltered tap water if it contains contaminants could lead to health problems such as upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhoea and nausea, to name a few. (iStock)

“Drinking pure water is important because it keeps your body’s cells healthy.” Work and health,

Doctors recommend testing your tap water regularly, which will help you choose the best filter for contaminants in your area.

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He advised that homeowners can also read their local water quality reports to better understand what is in their tap water.

“Drinking pure water is important because it helps maintain your body’s functions and health.”

It is important to follow local advice about water safety in an emergency or when water is a problem. Traveling to the regions Mercola said the water quality in the area is questionable.

For more health articles, visit here www.foxnews.com/health

To check water quality in your area, many experts recommend visiting the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) tap water database at https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/ and entering your zip code.

Fox News Digital sought comment from Dallas Water Utilities.


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