World Water Day 2014
Today we celebrate World Water Day, a day to recognize the importance of a safe and sustainable water source for each and every person around the globe.
Our focus is on the safety of the water we put into our bodies every day. Unfortunately, endocrine disruptors have been found in our drinking water. These chemicals can enter our ground water from wastewater treatment plants, hormones used in agriculture, and medications. The Clean Water Act and The Safe Drinking Water Act don’t require tests for the presence of known endocrine disruptors such as BPA, alkylphenols, and ehinylestradiol.
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is another concern. It is a drilling process used to extract oil and natural gas from the ground. Fracking pumps water and chemicals into the ground at high pressure to extract these resources. This new technology has presented some health concerns. Known carcinogens such as benzene and toluene are used in this process, and can contaminate the ground water. These chemicals are frequently linked to breast cancer, so we are encouraging you to stay informed about methods of oil extraction in your nearby communities.
We are often found drinking our water in plastic bottles. Plastics #3, #6, and #7 (found in the recycling triangle on the bottom) are made with toxic chemicals such as styrene, dioxin, phthalates, and bisphenol-A (BPA). These chemicals can mimic, or prevent true estrogen from functioning properly in the body, which can lead to breast cancer. Avoiding these plastics and using glass or stainless steel bottles is a safer alternative to avoiding these toxins when drinking water.
It’s vital that we understand how to make safer choices, even when it comes to our most basic needs. Everyone deserves access to safe drinking water.
For more information see:
http://www.breastcancerfund.org/clear-science/environmental-breast-cancer-links/plastics/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cornelius-b-murphy-jr-phd/endocrine-disruptors-late_b_4696440.html
http://www.breastcancerfund.org/clear-science/environmental-breast-cancer-links/air-water/
