Recently, I got this question in my inbox; Is tap water safe for bathing and showering? My family and friends consider me an expert in almost everything. Do they ask me questions on topics ranging from algebra to chest pains to chlorine filters?

Therefore, I am never surprised by the questions I get from them. I felt this question was worth an informative article, so here it goes.

To fully answer the question, we must look at the health hazards associated with publicly treated supplies and private wells. If you have a private well, you cannot fully determine the relative safety of your water without testing it.

You can get home test kits that show results in a matter of hours. That means no waiting for lab results. If you have a private well, I would recommend trying it.

Is tap water safe for bathing and showering if it is served by a public treatment facility?

In a word, the answer is ‘no’, unless you have an effective chlorine filter. Now let me tell you why.

Chlorination is the most widely used disinfection method in the world. It greatly reduces the incidence of waterborne diseases in industrialized countries. When chlorine interacts with bacteria, byproducts known as THMs, or trihalomethanes, are released.

A three-year study revealed that long-term exposure to THMs in chlorinated water at levels that regularly occur in industrialized societies doubles the risk of bladder cancer. The researchers reported a 95% confidence level in their findings. They also addressed the question; Is tap water safe for bathing and showering?

Major health organizations still maintain that the greatest risk comes from ingestion. This is not consistent with the researchers’ findings. They found that exposure during a shower, bath, or even swimming in a chlorinated pool was greater than the risk from drinking it.

THMs accumulate in the bathroom while the shower is running. They become airborne and we inhale them. During a bath and when swimming, they are absorbed through the skin. We can’t prevent all cancer threats in our lives, but we can install an affordable shower filter that removes THMs.

Is tap water safe for bathing and showering after installing this type of filter? Yes, as long as you compare products. Most chlorine filter units only remove chlorine, which isn’t particularly dangerous, although it does dry out skin and hair.

There are other contaminants in tap water that can cause health problems if inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Chlorine fumes, for example, trigger asthma attacks and aggravate respiratory problems. But when you consider what some call the “cancer epidemic” in our society, THMs are currently the biggest threat.

If you have a kitchen filter, you are protecting yourself and saving money. A shower filter is the next logical step. Effective products cost less than $70.

I think that fully answers the question. So if you are wondering if tap water is safe for bathing and showering; Now you know