The story of lead contamination in the water supply of Flint, Michigan is a tragedy. Many children will suffer learning problems, a lower IQ, and slowed growth. Adults exposed may experience high blood pressure, low kidney function, and reproductive problems. They may also suffer cognitive decline. Certainly, the people of Flint, Michigan will be carefully monitored over the next years to assess the damaging effects of high amounts of lead exposure and what protocols are best suited to counteract the damaging effects.
Yet it is not just the town of Flint, Michigan that is exposed to lead and other toxins in their water. After the Flint news, I decided to test for lead in my own water. Three samples were taken from the kitchen sink, the bathroom sink, and the tub. I am anxiously waiting for the results. I live in an older building that might still have some lead piping. In the meantime, I used scorecard.org to look at other sources of water contamination in my zip code. You may be surprised to learn that your water is not so clean. My zip code (San Francisco County) rated as one of the dirtiest/worst counties for clean water! Yikes! It appears that the surface bodies of water in this area (rivers, streams, estuaries, bays) are polluted with mercury, PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls), pesticides, and dioxins.
Thankfully, there are very good water filters that can help us to filter out many of these toxins. In addition, we can also eat foods and take nutrients that support detoxification of these compounds. Because we do not want them stuck in our bodies leading to all kinds of health problems!
Back to the topic of lead, it can also be found in your dishes, cookware, furniture, door knobs, and more. My dishes, cookware, and drinking glasses tested free of lead. As well as most of my furniture. Interestingly, a beautiful antique teapot gifted to me several years ago tested off the charts high in lead. I used that teapot for at least a year before it occurred to me that it probably contained lead. A tip for you: heating liquids or foods in a pot or on a dish with lead increases absorption of the lead. So check out these items too! Many antiques contain lead, as well as older dish ware. However, according to the folks that inspected my home, about 30% of newer dishes also contain lead.
In Part 2 of this blog series, I will report my water results (keeping my fingers crossed that there will be no lead) and my investigation of water filters. If you would like the contact info of the company that tested my home for lead and other toxins, please email me at info@nutritionwithbeth.com
Take a proactive approach this spring and participate in a self guided, safe, and simple to follow 14 day cleanse program to boost your liver function and help rid toxins from your body!