Cancer and Other Health Effects of Chlorine in Drinking Water

According to Dr. Joseph M. Price, MD, in Moseby's Medical Dictionary, "Chlorine is the greatest crippler and killer of modern times. It is an insidious poison."

The chemical element chlorine is a corrosive, poisonous, greenish-yellow gas that has a suffocating odor and is 2 1/2 times heavier than air. Chlorine belongs to the group of elements called halogens. The halogens combine with metals to form compounds called halides. Chlorine is manufactured commercially by running an electric current through salt water. This process produces free chlorine, hydrogen, and sodium hydroxide. Chlorine is changed to its liquid form by compressing the gas, the resulting liquid is then shipped. Liquid chlorine is mixed into drinking water and swimming pools to destroy bacteria.

CHLORINATED WATER .... SAY A BIG NO-NO !!
Chlorine is a halogen that damages enzymes. It does not belong in our bodies as part of our water needs !! For starters, chlorine potentiates magnesium deficiency, which can cause almost any symptom you can think of from high blood pressure, to chemical sensitivity or even sudden death. Furthermore it also decreases the absorption while increasing the excretion of calcium and phosphorus. The increased loss of calcium into the urine, promotes osteoporosis. It is known that it not only contributes to hypertension, but also cancers of the pancreas, colon, bladder and has been linked to heart attacks, diabetes, kidney stones and much more."

The Environmental Protection Agency now reports that individuals who drink and bath in chlorinated surface waters (i.e., water from lakes, rivers and shallow wells) have a 50% greater likelihood of getting cancer in their lifetime. Most consumers are surprised to learn that one can absorb up to 600% more contaminants in your body in a ten-minute shower than in all the water consumed in a day.

Cancer fighting nutrients become deadly when combined with chlorinated tap water
Some of nature’s most valuable and essential anti-cancer and anti-disease phytochemical nutrients which are commonly found in food have been discovered to form deadly cancer causing substances when consumed or combined with chlorinated tap water. This discovery includes familiar foods including soy, fruits, vegetables, tea, many health products, and even some vitamins. Research has proven that these essential nutrients are the exact same families of compounds, that even in infinitesimal amounts have been tormenting the water treatment and chlorine industries for years.
In a 1992 study that made front-page headlines, and was reported on in the July issue of the American Journal of Public Health researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee found that people who regularly drink tap water containing high levels of chlorine by-products have a greater risk of developing bladder and rectal cancers than people who drink unchlorinated water. The study estimates that about 9 percent of all bladder cancer and 18 percent of all rectal cancer cases are associated with long-term consumption of these by-products. This amounts to over 20,000 new cases each year. These concerns about cancer risks associated with chemical contamination from chlorination by-products have resulted in numerous epidemiological studies. These studies generally support the notion that by-products of chlorination are associated with increased cancer risks." "Chlorine is used to combat microbial contamination, but it can react with organic matter in the water and form dangerous, carcinogenic trihalomethanes.
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It has been known by the water treatment and chemical industries for many years that chlorine reacts negatively with natural organic compounds. These industries call these compounds DBPs (disinfection by-products) which are known to cause cancer in populations whose drinking water contains them. THM, the most commonly known DBP, is known to cause a high incidence of bladder cancer and also to cause spontaneous abortion of fetuses.

Chlorinated tap water linked to birth defects
Scientists from Imperial College, London University, will carry out the research after doctors in Norway, Canada and the United States reported higher levels of birth defects in areas where chlorine is used, compared with drinking water treated by alternative methods. A Norwegian study of 141,000 births over three years found a 14 per cent increased risk of birth defects in areas with chlorinated water. Scientists have already found an association between chlorine and an increased risk of bowel, kidney and bladder cancer, but it is the first time that a link has been found with higher levels of spina bifida.

ABSTRACTS
Chlorinated water and Eczema - A testimonial on Fri, 3 Dec 1999, from Angela Jones angeljones@excite.com "I have had Psoriasis and eczema for 15 years and I have tried everything the doctors have prescribed (prednisone, Methotrexate, etc.) but of course the psoriasis always came back after "treatment". Then about a year ago I read the book "Eat right for Your Type" and I am a changed person. My skin is clearer than it has ever been. I went to a naturopath and found out I was allergic to tons of stuff including chlorine, so I have placed a filter on my shower and on my kitchen sink and this has helped considerably. I recommend you put a filter on you bath tub too. Please read up on Eat right for your type, it has really changed my life !! Note: Methotrexate causes liver failure, so please be careful anyone whom is on it. A liver biopsy is not my idea of a good time. " Angela
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Matthew Silver, MD  - "An associate in her early fifties who had suffered for many years from the toxic effects of chlorine poisoning from inhaling vapors from an over-chlorinated swimming pool. This had resulted in many severe health challenges including extreme chronic fatigue and breathing difficulty that kept her housebound and dependent on oxyn. Even minimal exertion led to extreme shortness of breath. After just three days of drinking glyconutrients, she reported that all of her symptoms improved dramatically and that she was able to leave her house without oxygen and work in her garden, which she had not been able to do in years."  The sugars found on all Glyconutrients (saccharides) also address the workings of the brain and nervous system – from memory and sleep to anxiety and depression.
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There is good reason for the public to seriously examine and question this entire issue. Many years ago laws were passed making chlorination of water mandatory. Now, the chlorine industry and government agencies must continue their existing policies, because if sudden or drastic changes are made, the legal liabilities would be staggering. Certainly some government or industry personnel have known or theorized about these problems and have been covering them up for many years. However, if anyone were to admit to it, the consequences could be disastrous. This predicament could make the tobacco industry scandal seem insignificant in comparison.
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The Environmental Protection Agency has continually tightened their restrictions on THMs in drinking water, and even tighter restrictions are just around the bend. Yet it is interesting to note that the many government agencies and chlorine industries have conveniently neglected to take a serious look at food, health supplement, and pharmaceutical drug consumption, preparation, and production relating to use of chlorinated tap water.

"Disease and early death is more likely to be seen with the long term drinking of purified water. Avoid it except in special circumstances." Zoltan P. Rona M.D



Culled from shirleys-wellness-cafe