How safe is your water?

[Jackinthebox]

A lot has been said over the years about the deterioration of quality in our public water supplies here in America, and the widespread chemicalization of our water supply by the powers that be. Fluoride in particular is the issue that has garnered the most attention over the years, and I must admit, it concerns me. Even before I did any reading on this topic, I was always concerned about a few local municipal water supplies in particular. Even when I was a kid, the chemical tinge was apparent making the shift from well-water to municipal, or even from city to city here locally. One city I lived in for a time had much fresher water coming from a mountain reservoir, as opposed ot the next city who took their water from the PCB infested Hudson.

Now I could be wrong I suppose, but I interpret this article to be a moving of the goalposts. Boil little froggy boil...

[offsite:2ak2q8d0]Many may taste chlorine in water

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20090920/NEWS01/909200360/1006/RSS01

About 70,000 people in Dutchess County may soon taste chlorine in their water as the Poughkeepsies' Water Treatment Facility temporarily changes the process it uses to disinfect Hudson River water.


Facility Administrator Paul Lill said customers may notice a chlorine taste for about six weeks beginning Sept. 28.
Lill said the temporary change in water chemistry will not negatively affect the drinking water, which remains safe for residents to ingest.
He said the switch will let officials keep distribution pipes clean and is a "standard water treatment practice that is employed by most facilities that use chloramines as a disinfectant."
Ammonia is normally the final chemical added in the water treatment process. It binds with chlorine to form chloramines.
Use of ammonia will be halted temporarily during the six-week period. Additional chlorine added at the end of the process is what customers are likely to taste in their water.
The Poughkeepsies' treatment facility is off Route 9 near Marist College. The plant supplies water to the city and town of Poughkeepsie, the?Village of Wappingers Falls, IBM?Corp.'s facility in East Fishkill and the Arbors and Greenbush water districts in Hyde Park.
The facility also supplies water to a few customers on Cobey Terrace, near the Poughkeepsie-Hyde Park border.
The treatment facility began using chloramines about three years ago.
Lill said the temporary increased presence of chlorine likely will become an annual event as officials work to keep pipes clean.
According to the facility's Web site, chloramines are a combination of chlorine and ammonia at low concentrations.
They are regarded as a more reliable disinfectant than chlorine alone because they last longer in distribution systems.
Chloramines also produce lower levels of disinfection byproducts than chlorine.
Several residents said the change would not affect their water-drinking habits.
"I use bottled water for drinking," town resident Rebecca Soltes said.
Others said the change might be a slight inconvenience but would be worth the trouble if it means better water quality in the long run.
Take precautions
Lill said residents and businesses that normally take special precautions to remove chloramines from tap water, such as medical facilities or dialysis centers, should continue to take the same precautions during the temporary switch from chloramines to chlorine.
Most methods of removing chloramines from tap water also are effective in removing chlorine, officials said.
There are ways to reduce the chlorine taste in tap water.
Officials suggested that customers refrigerate pitchers of drinking water overnight to lessen the chlorine taste.
Water also may be discolored during the temporary switch to chlorine, but officials said consumers can run water until it becomes clear.[/offsite:2ak2q8d0]

[pack3tg0st]

My city water is horrible... not even suitable for making beer...

Thus, we installed an R.O.

[Foxtrot Oscar]

I live in China...

Safer than yours!

Fox

[pack3tg0st]

mmmmm

melamine

[Cogburn]

The last water filter you'll ever need.

We've had one for at least 8 years.

http://www.bigberkey.net/?gclid=CLrrwb_ugJ0CFSXyDAod0EjKbw

[Lexion]

Filtered water.

You pussies.

Drink the additives, they're
good for ya !!!

[theeindiee]

the only thing we have to fear.... is water.

Be afraid. It's pretty much everywhere.

[Jackinthebox]

Coincidentally, I just got this email today...

[offsite:3pljtx7c]News Release: NYS Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc

September 15, 2009

Fluoridation was an agenda item on 9/17/09 Health Department Meeting

New York - September 15, 2009 – Ignoring scientific evidence of harm, the Dutchess County Dental Society wants to force unnecessary fluoride chemicals into the water and people of Dutchess County, NY (1) against the will of the Poughkeepsie Joint Water Board which voted out fluoridation in 2008 (2) because Water Board members never received requested fluoride-safety information from state officials exonerating fluoride as a possible health hazard.
To circumvent the Poughkeepsie Water Board's decision, an amendment to the Dutchess County Sanitary Code is proposed by Dentist William Kirtland via a Dutchess County Health Department 9/17/09 agenda item that, if enacted, would require fluoride to be added to all Dutchess County water supplies serving 10,000 or more people (3) which would, of course, include Poughkeepsie.

Fluoride chemicals, neither nutrients nor essential for healthy teeth, do not purify the water but ostensibly prevent tooth decay.

A 2006 National Research Council (NRC) report reveals that fluoridation poses risks to the thyroid gland, diabetics, kidney patients, high water drinkers and babies.(4) As a result of the 2006 NRC report, the National Kidney Foundation dropped its fluoridation support replacing it with this caution: “Individuals with CKD [Chronic Kidney Disease] should be notified of the potential risk of fluoride exposure.” (5) And both the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control advise that infant formula not be mixed with fluoridated water. (6,7)

Over 2,600 professionals (many from New York ) have signed a statement urging Congress to stop water fluoridation nationwide and to hold Congressional hearings about why federal officials continue to promote fluoridation in the face of new scientific evidence that fluoridation is ineffective and has serious health risks. ( http://www.fluorideaction.org/statement.august.2007.html )

Since the professionals' statement was first issued (Aug 2007), the following occurred:

-- The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, Canada ’s leading voice on environmental health issues, released a statement opposing fluoridation.

-- May 2009, Great Lakes United (GLU) supports the end of water fluoridation. GLU is made up organizations representing environmentalists, conservationists, hunters and anglers, labor unions, community groups, and citizens of the United States , Canada , and First Nations and Tribes.

-- Researchers reporting in the Oct 6 2007 British Medical Journal indicate that fluoridation never was proven safe or effective and may be unethical.

-- “A qualitative review of ...studies found a consistent and strong association between the exposure to fluoride and low IQ,” concluded Tang el al., in "Fluoride and Children’s Inte lligence: A Meta-analysis” in Biological Trace Element Research

-- A study in the Fall 2008 Journal of Public Health Dentistry reveals that cavity-free teeth have little to do with fluoride intake.Researchers report, "The benefits of fluoride are mostly topical…while fluorosis is clearly more dependent on fluoride intake."

-- Research published in Biological Trace Element Research (April 2009). indicates that blood fluoride levels were significantly higher in patients with osteosarcoma than in control groups. Osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer, occurs mostly in children and young adults

-- November 2008 - 53 US cities rejected fluoridation joining a growing list of communities saying "No," to fluoridation.

-- July 21, 2009, Thunder Bay , Ontario , Canada legislators rejected the hard push for fluoridation.

-- Dr. Joey Hensley, a Tennessee State legislator who is also an MD is urging all Tennessee Water Districts to stop fluoridation. At least 30 Tennessee water districts have already complied with his request.

-- On 1/5/09, the Burlington Board of Health recommended that Burlington cease fluoridation because fluoridation can harm some people.

-- On 1/6/09, a Canadian town, Drayton, stopped fluoridation, not to save money, but because it was in the best interests of residents, said the Mayor.

-- On 2/10/2009 Skagit County , WA officials reversed their 2007 fluoridation decision.

-- On 3/3/2009, Plainfield , Vermont bans fluoridation.

The Dutchess County Dental Society is also ignoring a 1990 New York State Department of Health Report which concluded, “The available data suggest that some individuals may experience hypersensitivity to fluoride-containing agents. Further studies on hypersensitivity are required…[and] “Studies on the effects of fluoride in individuals with renal insufficiency are needed”
(8)

New York State Department of Health statistics reveal that fluoridation has not reduced tooth decay between have's and have not's. And highly fluoridated NYS counties do not necessarily have lower tooth decay rates. See chart based on those statistics:

The CDC reports that up to 48% of school children are fluoride overdosed and, as a result, sport dental fluorosis - white spotted, yellow, brown and pitted teeth. (9)

“As a Cosmetic Dentist, it is not uncommon to have patients receive gorgeous porcelain veneers to correct their dental fluorosis, white and brown damage from too much ingested fluoride. Costs range from several hundred dollars to well over $25,000 and need to be retreated every 10 to 20 years for life time costs which may exceed $100,000 per person,” writes Washington state dentist Bill Osmunson in the British Medical Journal.

“No Dutchess County resident is fluoride-deficient and no logical reason exists to add fluoride chemicals to any water supply,” says lawyer Paul Beeber, President, New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation (NYSCOF). The dental crisis that’s occurring nationwide is not from lack of fluoridation but because most dentists won’t treat Medicaid patients and 130 million Americans don’t have dental insurance,” says Beeber.

“The NRC fluoride report dramatically changed scientific understanding of fluoride's health risks," says Paul Connett, PhD, Executive Director, Fluoride Action Network. "Government officials who continue to promote fluoridation must testify under oath as to why they are ignoring the powerful evidence of harm in the NRC report,” he added.

SOURCE: NYS Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.

http://tinyurl.com/NewsReleases

References:

1) http://www.dcdsny.com/pdfs/members/Exec_Minutes.pdf

2) http://www2.fluoridealert.org/Alert/United-States/New-York/Board-takes-fluoride-out-of-water

3) http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/Health/HDIndex.htm

4) Scientific American January 2008 http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=second-thoughts-on-fluoride

5) National Kidney Foundation, “Fluoride Intake in Chronic Kidney Disease,” April 15, 2008

http://www.kidney.org/atoz/pdf/Fluoride_Intake_in_CKD.pdf

6) http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/positions/statements/fluoride_infants.asp

7) http://www.cdc.gov/FLUORIDATION/safety/infant_formula.htm

8). Kaminsky LS, Mahoney MC, Leach J, Melius J, Miller MJ. Fluoride: benefits and risks of exposure. Crit Rev Oral Biol Med. 1990;1:261–281 http://crobm.iadrjournals.org/cgi/reprint/1/4/261

9) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/figures/s403a1t23.gif[/offsite:3pljtx7c]

[cartoon]

fuck it. go ahead and drink it. it's better than Iraq's and it won't kill ya.

[Cogburn]

Access to clean water and clean food seem to be considered a fundamental human right... but health care is not.

Demand clean water and non-GM foods, but God help you if you break an arm or contract a disease.

Go figure.

[Jackinthebox]

Access to clean water and clean food seem to be considered a fundamental human right... but health care is not.

Demand clean water and non-GM foods, but God help you if you break an arm or contract a disease.

Go figure.

Lol. Dammit Cog, stop it. I hate it when I have to agree with you.

[skunk]

It's amazing how much we all have in common sometimes isn't it jack? Even people who appear to be enemies may in fact become great friends.

Now kiss and make up.

[GeneralStriker]

neither water nor food are considered to be rights in capitalist society. they are simply commodities like any other- including medical care.

[skunk]

Basic human needs aren't rights in most societies gs.

[GeneralStriker]

it's not my contention...


Access to clean water and clean food seem to be considered a fundamental human right

[pack3tg0st]

Basic human needs aren't rights in most societies gs.

oh god...

Darwin?

oh shit...

nevermind... this idea is too unpopular...

no point in hashing it out here

[Cogburn]

Obviously the dichotomy in my statements were lost when the words "seem to be" were ignored.

Is it not predominantly the same crowd that cries for clean water and non-GM food and yet claims that universal health care is socialist?

I offer that as proof of little else than those who exhibit such hypocritical mindsets are not thinking for themselves and merely parrot those who tell them what to believe.

Except to ask, who says you have a right to clean water and who says you have a right to non-GM food?

Buy a water purifier. "Heirloom" seeds are a stupid marketing ploy. Just go buy seeds and grow food.

But health care? I can't do a home MRI nor am I willing to set a compound fracture beyond first aid. I haven't spent 8 years of medical school and 4 years of residency to learn medicine even to be a general practitioner.

Affordable, if not free, health care is more important than clean water and non-GM food because it is the one thing I cannot sufficiently do myself... and I'm not afraid to admit that, either.

[pack3tg0st]

LOL god.. you're going to drag me into it aren't ya cog lol

Small point of contention though... Heirloom seeds aren't just a marketing ploy... there are many heirloom veggies that have disappeared... Now, I don't do heirloom because its not GM... I do it because its a taste from the past...

not very efficient though... but most definitely important...

Indian Corn is an Heirloom veggie...

so is red or black popcorn...

they TASTE different... (red popcorn is epic BTW)

Now for the part that pisses people off...

Natural Selection: More people are born than can possibly survive...

no one really has a right to anything.

[Cogburn]

"Heirloom" used in the sense of preserving nearly extinct food stocks is one thing.

It doesn't mean that you're poisoning your family or otherwise robbing them of nutrition if you buy your seeds from Frank's Nursery.

[pack3tg0st]

/agree

I bet the peopel who complain about GM food are the same fucks who try to end world hunger...

I love irony.

[cartoon]

Is it not predominantly the same crowd that cries for clean water and non-GM food and yet claims that universal health care is socialist?different crowds. it's the same folks who want pure water and food and socialized medicine. those opposed to all three are called 'republicans'- generally fat bastards who don't give a shit if their bloody steaks are full of hormones and their water is full of bleach.

[pack3tg0st]

different crowds. it's the same folks who want pure water and food and socialized medicine. those opposed to all three are called 'republicans'- generally fat bastards who don't give a shit if their bloody steaks are full of hormones and their water is full of bleach.

Broad sweeping generalities...

wow

thats... dishonest...

[Cogburn]

Tune into GCN or Rense or Alex Jones or any such self-proclaimed voice of the "true" conservative and you'll hear exactly what I'm talking about.

It is these outlets that form the basis for what you see as MSM discourse on the matter in the past 6 months.

That doesn't even begin to address birthers and truthers.

They all flow from the same intellectual wellspring.