How To Protect Yourself
A number of people have been calling and emailing us asking about filters and what they can do to protect themselves from the affects of chloramine. Please know that we are continuing to take every route possible to stop the use of chloramine.
When chloramine starts in your area, don't expect that everyone in the service area is going to immediately break out in rashes or have asthmatic symptoms and digestive problems. Some people may show immediate symptoms, others may take longer and still others may not become symptomatic at all. Whether or not you experience symptoms does not negate the fact that our bodies are being affected by these chemicals and the seriousness of the long term effects (cancer and birth defects) will only be known years from now just as the asbestos cases are just now coming to light after 30 years. Just so you are aware, NDMA is being reported in at least two facilities in PA at levels of 2.9 and 2.5ppt. According to EPA, California has set health levels at 3 ppt. We are also seeing Iodide in our raw water, dispite PAWC's continuous assertions that we do not have this precursor for the iodonated byproducts in our raw water. These are two of the most toxic byproducts of chloramine.
In an effort to keep yourself as unaffected as possible, here are some suggestions and thoughts based on our research and personal stories from those suffering:
(PLEASE NOTE: I AM NOT A DOCTOR OR A SCIENTIST. I DO NOT CLAIM TO KNOW EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF CHLORAMINE. I AM RELATING ONLY INFORMATION I HAVE GATHERED FROM REPUTABLE SOURCES OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS. THIS INFORMATION IS OFFERED ONLY TO GIVE YOU MORE KNOWLEDGE IN ORDER TO MAKE INFORMED, INTELLIGENT DECISIONS FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY. THIS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE PROFESSIONAL LEGAL OR MEDICAL OPINION OR ADVICE.)
1) According to NSF, NO filter currently certified for drinking water can take out or reduce the toxic byproducts of chloramine - if a filter company tells you they can- go to another company or ask for proof from their chemist. ask for their NSF certification that states that the filter eliminates NDMA, Hydrazine, Iodonated byproducts and DXAA, they will not be able to produce one.
2) Filters can reduce the monochloramine compound itself however they cannot stop the speciation of remaining monochloramine into tri chloramine which is a respiratory irritant.
3) So be careful and don't spend huge amounts of money on filters thinking that they are going to protect you from the cancer causing byproducts. Even if they did protect you in your home, they would not protect you outside your home, at work, school, restaurants etc.
4) Avoid drinking water in restaurants, offices, schools, hotels etc. in the PAWC service area or drink a beverage with ice cubes or fountain drinks made with water such as sodas unless they are from a bottle or can. Be aware that your ice cube maker at home will also be using chloraminated water.
5) if you buy bottled water, make sure it is spring water and not tap water that has been bottled. Soda companies filter municipal water and sell it in bottles. Read the labels or get your water from someone like the Water Guy who uses spring water. Water Guy and other water companies offer Spring water, purified water and distilled water. Only the Spring water is guaranteed from a spring and not municipal sources.
6) avoid using tap water in a vaporizer or humidifier. The research would suggest that turning monochloramine to steam may be causing the respiratory problems people are having with showering in chloraminated areas.
7) SHOWERS - your skin absorbs more contaminants and toxins from water in a ten minute shower than you would drink in an entire day.
a) open a window to let steam out - breathing the steam (trichloramine) can cause respiratory problems according to studies and personal experience of people in chloraminated areas
b) take shorter showers to reduce your exposure-
c) if possible - turn water off while lathering with soap - rinse off - turn off while you shampoo. Use as little water as possible (or at least stand away from the water stream while you lather and shampoo so it is not absorbing into your skin) You can purchase a Shower Control Valve for $10.00 at any hardware store that will allow you to flip the water off and on while you wash and shampoo while maintaining the temperature mixture. This will reduce to a minimum you exposure during a shower.
d) try to use warm or cooler water rather than hot water
e) If you want to avoid showering in it at all - use a camp shower or old fashion dry sink method with bottled water- this has been done by many sufferers in other states.
8) Avoid cooking with tap water - heating it causes tri-chloramine formation just like in the shower.
9) set dish washers and clothes washers on cool water so they won't create steam. Use the water saving settings to use less water.
10) several people have indicated they intend to move out of the PAWC service area:
All I can tell you is that currently Harrisburg does not use chloramine (I just noticed several homes for sale in Shypoke), so far United Water has not used chloramine and they serve much of Mechanicsburg and Carlisle, Aqua water only uses chloramine in 4 out of their 122 facilities in PA. I am not sure where all there water districts are. The best think to do is ask who the water provider is when you decide where to move and call and ask them if they are using chloramine or look up their water quality report on line. (Sometimes companies don't report the chloramine even though they are required to - so it is best to ask just to make sure.) We know where PAWC stands on the subject so keep that in mind when you are looking for a place to move to.
Chloramine is now in the following West Shore townships and boroughs:Camp Hill, New Cumberland, Lemoyne, Wormleysburg, Shiremanstown, East Penn, Silver Springs, Hampden, Upper Allen, Lower Allen, Parts of Mechanicsburg with PAWC water and Fairview.
11) If you own fish, you MUST add additional chemicals and filters to your tanks or ponds or your fish will die.
And again, if anyone starts having symptoms connected with the water after the 12th, please document with pictures if it is a rash or dead fish and with a journal otherwise and let us know. Documentation is the name of the game, we need as perfect evidence as we can get since the agencies and courts are not inclined to rule against this company with anything less. Keep receipts for any purchases of filters for home or fish, doctor visits, medications associated with chloramine symptoms, bottled water purchases that were made as a result of chloramination, any other expenses you incur as a result of the chloramine additive. Copy me with any journal or evidence of adverse effects of exposure. If you want to directly contact someone about this, contact the people listed on our Call to Action page of this website. Any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.