According to a report in the Irish times, more than 400,000 people could have excessive amounts of the chemical known as Trihalomethanes (THM’s) in their drinking water supplies. The worst-affected counties are Donegal, Kerry and Wicklow but Galway, Kilkenny, Mayo, Meath, Roscommon and Waterford could also be affected.
What are Trihalomethanes or what are THM’s? Trihalomethanes commonly referred to as THM’s, occur when water containing natural organic matter or vegetation is treated with chlorine. The result is a disinfection by-product known as THMs. At elevated levels, THMs have been associated with negative health effects such as cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes.
In Ireland, THM’s have been known to occur in some counties where the surface water is sourced from areas close to boggy or peat soils. The vegetation and organic matter in these water supplies reacts with chlorine (which is used to purify the water) to form Trihalomethanes.
If you are living in one of the affected counties or are worried about THMs and other chemical contaminants in your drinking water, you should first get the water tested and then install a quality under-sink water filter or whole house filtration system that will treat the contaminants in your water supply. A water filtration system from Perfect Water Systems will purify the water for drinking and provide long term protection and peace of mind. Read More…
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