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Important Health Risks of Lead in Drinking Water
Of all the fears about pollutants reaching the water supply, concerns about lead remain a top priority. Water boards have advice ready for residents. Its use has been banned in water pipes, and large-scale incidents, such as in Flint, in the United States, have made families all too aware of the dangers of excessive levels of lead in drinking water. Check out our water solutions now! How does lead get into drinking water? Before the use of lead was banned across Europe in the 1970s, it was used in pipes that supplied drinking water to many houses. Despite the use of lead in water pipes being outlawed for four decades, it remains a problem where older homes still get their water supply via a lead pipe - and where older kitchen fittings remain. Lead has also been found, at times, to be used wrongly to attach pipes. These are problems homeowners may not even be aware of. Why is lead in drinking water harmful? Consuming too much lead is a serious health risk and can cause lead poisoning. Health experts highlight the danger to be much greater for young children (under six years old) who absorb lead at a higher rate, and pregnant women. Lead enters the body's vital organs, such as the heart, brain, and kidneys and is stored in the teeth and bones. The resulting health effects can include: At high levels, it attacks the brain and central nervous system, possibly leading to coma and death Brain development problems sometimes lead to a lower IQ, learning disabilities and slower growth Behavioural problems Anaemia High blood pressure Kidney damage Problems with the immune system Reproductive toxicity Miscarriage, stillbirth or premature babies Symptoms of lead poisoning Children suffering from lead poisoning may experience abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fatigue, vomiting, headaches, hearing loss and learning difficulties. Adult symptoms display as muscle pain, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, memory loss, hearing problems and tingling or numbness in hands and feet. It can also cause a blue line on the gums. Treatment for lead poisoning Just as lead is slowly absorbed by the body, it is also slowly emitted. Anyone who fears they may have been exposed to excessive lead levels needs to seek the help of a doctor. Where the levels of lead are low, identifying the source will help to reverse the problem. However, people suffering higher exposure levels will need treatment with specialist medication, known as Chelation therapy. What can be done to protect against lead in drinking water? While people living in hard water areas may be afforded some protection by the build-up of limescale in lead pipes, soft water areas are not, and often an additional chemical (orthophosphate) is added to the water to take away the risk. It is a very real risk that particles of lead will find their way into drinking water in homes supplied by a lead pipe. Ultimately, families whose drinking water is supplied via lead pipes will want to take steps to replace the pipes. Check the pipe supplying your water - lead pipes are dull grey - and if unsure, ask a plumber to look at it for you. The local water authority should also be able to provide information about the levels of lead found in drinking water for a particular area. As boiling water does not reduce lead, the most affordable and immediate solution is to install a water filter to reduce heavy metal elements in your drinking water. Doulton water filters harness ceramic technology to filter out toxic metals from your drinking water. Using a water filter will help to reduce chemicals finding their way into drinking water and is ideal as a precautionary measure, even in houses with no link to lead being used. So important is the control of lead in drinking water that the omission of orthophosphate to stop lead water pipes corroding eventually led to a state of emergency being declared in Flint, Michigan, in the United States in 2015. Thousands of people drank water containing excessive levels of lead. Don't leave your health to chance The amount of lead in drinking water should not be above 10 micrograms, although the World Health Organisation (WHO) says there is no safe level for lead in the human body. Health is too important to take a risk with, check your water supply to ensure it is bringing you the best quality drinking water, and use a water filter for added peace of mind. Check out our water solutions now!
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Refuel On-The-Move & Boost Your Well-Being During National...
Walking and drinking water go hand-in-hand as ways to boost your wellbeing - and National Walking Month UK aims to get more people on the move. Throughout May, families are encouraged to pull on their walking shoes and step out onto the nation's streets to improve their health. Check out our water solutions now! Get moving to feel better - and cut pollution Living Streets, the charity behind the campaign, aims to get more people out of their cars and using their feet to get around instead to cut help pollution and improve health and wellbeing. Living Streets says walking every day can: Boost your metabolism and burn calories Improve blood pressure and the health of your heart It would be a good way to boost your mood Make you more aware of the community around you To this end, National Walking Month has launched the initiative #Try20 to encourage people to get out for a 20-minute stroll every day, whether by walking to school, getting out at lunchtime or going for a stroll in the evening. Stay hydrated by drinking water on the move When exercising, it is important to keep hydrated by regularly drinking water. It is recommended that people consume 1.2 litres of water every day to stay healthy, but when we exercise that need can increase. Be prepared and stay fresh on your walk by filling up a bottle of drinking water at home before you set out, however long you are planning to go for. If it is a hot day, even just a short stroll down the street could leave you feeling thirsty - the first sign of dehydration. Drinking water as you walk will also help to keep your energy levels topped up, as dehydration can leave you feeling sluggish, which won't encourage you to get out walking again. The idea of National Walking Month is not only to increase fitness but also to cut pollution, so working hand-in-hand with that ethos, ditch the plastic bottles and turn to the water tap. Fill up at home to help the environment Filling up a water bottle at home and reusing it will help to fight the mounting pile of plastic bottles that have become a major environmental concern. Maximise the health benefits of drinking water by using filtered water. National Walking Month also wants to map out how "walkable" the nation's streets are using feedback from those taking part. Cutting pollution, increasing wellbeing, making the country a better place to walk and reducing the Earth's pile of plastic waste by choosing drinking water from the tap can all play a part in making the world a better place to live. The great thing about walking is that, as well as being a brilliant low impact form of exercise, it is free. So fill up a bottle of filtered drinking water from the tap at home and head outside to enjoy a healthy lifestyle at no added cost! Check out our water solutions now!
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Why Clean Drinking Water Is Essential To A...
Much to the disappointment of expectant mothers, health experts have warned of the risks of 'eating for two', but how important is drinking water when it comes to pregnancy? Medical professionals advise pregnant women to follow a balanced, healthy diet, and within that they suggest cutting back on sugary food and drinks to avoid gaining excess weight. Sensible caffeine levels also restrict the amount of tea and coffee recommended for pregnant women. The NHS suggests no more than 200mg of caffeine a day - that is two cups of instant coffee, but caffeinated products such as chocolate and tea also count towards the limit. This makes drinking water one of the best choices to keep dehydration at bay during pregnancy. Check out our water solutions now! Why drinking water is essential to a healthy pregnancy Morning sickness With fatigue and, all too often, morning sickness being a problem during the early months of pregnancy, drinking water could help to alleviate some of these symptoms. Certainly, in the case of pregnancy-related sickness, which can really strike at any time of day, if not all day, topping up any fluids lost by drinking water is essential to staying hydrated and healthy. Good hydration is also an important factor when avoiding fatigue, so, along with getting plenty of rest, drinking an adequate amount of water will help. One of the early symptoms of dehydration is tiredness, so regularly sipping drinking water can rule this out as a reason for feeling fatigued. Using a Doulton Water Filter will ensure that drinking water not only tastes better but is free of any toxins carried in the water supply, leaving pregnant women happy in the knowledge they are feeding their bodies the best quality water. Exercise, heat and hydration While women should drink the recommended eight glasses of fluid each day throughout their pregnancy, they may need to drink slightly more water in the third trimester of pregnancy to meet the demands of their growing baby. It is important to listen to the body and look out for signs of dehydration such as thirst, darker urine, headaches and tiredness. Drinking water will help to flush toxins out of the system during pregnancy, and, just as importantly, will help the body to absorb nutrients, which all play a part in nurturing the development of the unborn baby. If exercising during pregnancy, women are advised to increase their intake of water, as well as when they become hot. Keep it clean Using a Doulton Water Filter will ensure that drinking water not only tastes better but is free of any toxins carried in the water supply, leaving pregnant women happy in the knowledge they are feeding their bodies the best quality water. Healthy, cheap, plentiful and cost-effective, water is the ideal source of hydration to keep the body healthy through pregnancy. Check out our water solutions now!
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Make The Choice To Cut Fluoride From Your...
Sipping a glass of clear, clean water goes hand-in-hand with a healthy lifestyle, but how pure is your drinking water and could using a water filter make it healthier? Chemicals are added to the water supply for a number of reasons not least to keep it clean, but one of the more controversial additions is fluoride. Around 25 countries add fluoride to their drinking water to improve the dental health of the population by helping to reduce cavities and tooth decay. In the UK, fluoride has been added to the drinking water of around 5.8 million people - around 1mg per litre of water. In the United States, 194 million people drink water that has had fluoride added to it. In the UK it is the choice of the local authority to add fluoride to drinking water. A report by The Telegraph showed those areas include parts of Cumbria, Cheshire, Tyneside, Northumbria, Durham, Humberside, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, the West Midlands and Bedfordshire. Check out our Fluoride solutions now! What exactly is the fluoride added to water? Leaving no taste or smell in the water, fluoride is added as either sodium fluoride, fluorosilicic acid, or sodium fluorosilicate. Fluorosilicic acid is a waste product of the phosphate fertilizer industry. Opponents are concerned about the health implications of adding such toxic chemicals to drinking water. Fluoride also occurs naturally in drinking water and bottled water can also contain amounts of fluoride, although the levels are often unknown. Health concerns over fluoride Despite claims of success, adding fluoride to drinking water has not always met with approval or even agreement. Many countries believe the fluoride in toothpaste and other dental solutions is enough to protect teeth. While critics are concerned about the need and impact of adding unnecessary chemicals to drinking water. They believe fluoride can potentially cause serious health problems. Dental fluorosis is a recognised side effect of drinking water with fluoride added to it that can cause discolouration of the teeth as a result of excessive childhood exposure to fluoride. While studies have failed to show any concrete link between the use of fluoride in drinking water and more serious illnesses, incidents of accidental over-fluoridation in the United States has led to outbreaks of fluoride poisoning, causing vomiting and diarrhoea. A number of countries in Europe, which did introduce fluoride to drinking water in the 1950s, have long since abandoned the practice, including Germany, Holland, Sweden and Finland. How to remove fluoride from water The optimal way to reduce unwanted naturally occurring and added fluoride to safe levels in your drinking water is to install a fitted water filter to your kitchen tap. Doulton Water Filters has developed a dedicated fluoride reduction cartridge that can be used as part of a filtration system to remove impurities and unwanted chemicals from your family's drinking water. Affordable and environmentally friendly, Doulton Water Filters help you control the content of your drinking water. Be crystal clear about what's in your drinking water use a Doulton Water Filter. Check out our Fluoride solutions now!
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How To Make Your Coffee Taste Better With...
To millions of people across the world the only way to start the day is with a good cup of coffee - but is it with filtered drinking water? Last week UK Coffee Week shone a spotlight on the relationship between coffee and drinking water. This annual campaign aims to get coffee drinkers to give back to the farming communities that create the initial product by supporting a fund to improve access to clean drinking water. Water is key to the coffee industry, from farming the beans to brewing a cup in your own home. Check out our water solutions now! Clean drinking water for all Yet the cruel irony in the pursuit of the perfect cup of coffee is the harsh reality that some of the farming communities producing coffee beans do not have access to clean drinking water themselves. To that end, UK Coffee Week works to make a difference by raising funds to bring clean drinking water to those communities. In support of the initiative, coffee shops are encouraged to hold events, or donate cash from each cup sold, to Project Waterfall, which has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to help bring clean drinking water to communities in Tanzania, Rwanda and Ethiopia. By getting behind the fundraiser, coffee drinkers can give back to the communities that work to bring coffee to the world. Access to clean drinking water is the key ingredient to a better quality of life for those struggling to find a supply. How filtered drinking water can improve your coffee With the surge in popularity of coffee houses on our streets, self-styled home baristas are taking up the gauntlet and creating their own ever elaborate creations. While there is a real art to crafting the perfect cup of coffee, starting with the best materials is certainly a help. So why invest in the best quality beans and a state of the art machine, then leave the quality of water to chance? A fantastic, aromatic cup of coffee is the sum of all parts and good quality drinking water is the key ingredient. Using a water filter to remove any contaminants will improve the taste, texture and appearance of your coffee. By using a device such as a Doulton Water Filter you can be sure of healthy water every time you fill up your coffee machine. Reducing chemicals and bacteria with the natural ceramic filtration method will result in a smoother brew and a more consistent taste. Most coffee houses rely on a water filtration system to maintain the quality of their product, so to get the same great taste at home a water filter is a great investment. Water filters also help to stop "scum" forming on the top of hot drinks. This is caused by the presence of calcium, along with other chemicals, in drinking water. Particularly problematic in hard water areas, the use of a water filter will help to stop this unsightly appearance on hot drinks, and also help to preserve the workings of coffee machines by reducing the formation of scaling inside. To brew coffee like a professional, invest in the right equipment and make sure your main ingredient - drinking water - is up to the job by using a water filter. Be sure to check out what's on offer for National Tea Day on 21 April and remember the importance of a truly healthy cuppa. Check out our water solutions now!
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Why Drinking Water Is Essential To Combat Dehydration...
Good hydration is essential to health - whatever your age. Yet dehydration in the elderly can be a particular problem as they fail to consume enough drinking water. Despite access to drinking water being plentiful in the developed world, dehydration in the elderly remains an issue for a number of reasons - and can pose a serious risk to health. Check out our water solutions now! Why is dehydration a problem in the elderly? The major problem is that many elderly people simply fail to drink enough water. While not being in the habit of drinking water could be a reason for this, another stumbling block is that as people age their ability to know that they are thirsty weakens. For those suffering from Alzheimer's or dementia this problem is even more pronounced. As the ageing process takes its toll on the body, its ability to keep itself hydrated can also be affected. In particular, ageing impacts the performance of the kidneys and, thereon, the body's ability to interpret and respond to hydration levels. Dehydration in the elderly can also be added to by the side effects of certain medication - particularly diuretics and laxatives - as well as impaired cognitive function or physical function, particularly when that demands assistance when eating. Depression has also been flagged up as having a link to dehydration for elderly people. Addressing the problem In a care setting, elderly people may need to depend on their carers to access enough drinking water. Ensuring a patient is adequately hydrated is essential to their, and their family's, expectations of care. Families can also help older relatives to stay hydrated, and reap the benefits of drinking water, by reminding them of the importance of regularly filling up their glass. When visiting an elderly relative ask them if they would like a drink and encourage them to choose water. Family members can also help by being on the lookout for signs of dehydration. Investing in a Doulton water filter could help encourage uptake of fluids by improving the taste and the quality of tap water. If spotted early it is easy to remedy dehydration by drinking more water. But if dehydration is serious, it can have major health implications requiring immediate medical attention. Symptoms to watch out for Thirst Feeling light-headed Being tired A headache Going to the toilet less often In serious cases of dehydration people can have a rapid or weak pulse, appear confused, suffer from dizziness or even not be fully conscious. Effects on health Elderly people will find everyday tasks more difficult if suffering from dehydration as it saps their strength. It can also cause heat exhaustion and lead to an increase in falls and subsequent recovery time. In addition, by becoming dehydrated, elderly people are put at risk of health problems including kidney stones, muscle damage and respiratory tract infections. Water is vital to wellbeing. At a time in life when good health should be cherished make sure your elderly relatives don't risk their wellbeing by failing to drink enough water. Check out our water solutions now!
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Drink Water Free From Herbicides & Filter Out...
While science developments have helped to revolutionise farming, the use of herbicides - and more importantly how it trickles into our water supply - is a serious cause for concern. Herbicides have been applied to crops across the world since being developed in the 1940s. Sprayed onto crops to kill weeds without damaging the product, these chemicals can embed themselves into the soil-bed and inadvertently find their way into drinking water. Check out our water solutions now! Health Concerns of herbicides and pesticides A report being presented this week highlights this risk of the unknown in the use of pesticides (including herbicides) that have been linked to serious health concerns. The report points to the fact that pesticides have been linked with conditions ranging from skin rashes to Alzheimer's Disease, cancer, and neurological conditions. And it reports: "Pesticides also present a serious threat to drinking water, particularly in agricultural areas, which often depend on groundwater" Strict regulations are already in place in the United Kingdom governing the use of herbicides to control weeds on land near to waterways, and the EU has been a leader in taking precautionary action over the use of pesticides. Fear of the unknown However, a risk remains that some toxins could find their way into the water system through water run-off from fields in the event of heavy rain, or by being disrupted by wind. Such is the concern about what possible effects these chemicals could have on the water supply system that the Environment Agency has strict guidelines in place governing their use near to a waterway. In the developed world checks are in place that any possible contamination is limited, however, there is still scope for a small amount of herbicide to find its way into the water ways. Despite herbicides being given rigorous testing, the widespread use is still a cause for concern when the associated health and environmental risks remain unknown. How to remove herbicides and pesticides from water Take action - Drink water free of herbicides So, how do we protect ourselves from the unknown? Investing in a water filter is an obvious place to start. Doulton Water Filters harness natural materials to filter out chemicals that could be present in drinking water. As nutritionist Jenny Tschiesche recently warned in her influential Lunchbox Doctor blog: "Any filter is better than no filter. If you don't have a filter you become the filter." Concerned about the possible chemical content in drinking water she invested in one of Doulton's Stainless Steel Outdoor Recreation filters, which can be used on the go. Describing the filter as â"one of the best purchases we have made", Jenny wrote: "The best and most cost-effective solution is a combination of a decent water filter at home. I highly recommend Doulton Gravity Filters and a really good quality glass or stainless steel reusable drinking bottle...this method of obtaining clean, chlorine-free water without particles or pathogens is more cost efficient than a filter jug and is far more environmentally friendly than bottled water." Play it safe Strict maximum levels for pesticide content in drinking water have been put in place under the European Drinking Water Directive but while such widespread use of pesticides remains so does the risk that the toxins might enter the water system. Leading policy-makers believes it is time to take steps to minimise the risks of toxins to the eco system. Keep your family safe from the risks of the unknown and filter out the toxins from your drinking water by using a water filter. Check out our water solutions now!
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Great! You've Purchased A Water Filter From An...
This won't be the first time we've raised the subject, and we make no apologies for it, but counterfeit, copy and non-genuine products are readily available in the marketplace and we need to talk about it - you need to know you have purchased a genuine water filter. You may already be well aware that the crime of counterfeiting is not new, in fact more and more counterfeit items are now being sold online as well as through retailers, and spotting copies has become almost impossible. The need for you to ensure your purchase is a genuine product from the original manufacturer, official master distributor or reseller is paramount, not only for your own peace of mind, but for that of the copyright holder too. Check out our water solutions now! Counterfeit products - who loses out? It's a true but disappointing fact that sub-standard and incomplete products that purport to be the genuine article have become an absolute nightmare for buyer and (genuine) seller alike. Manufacturers seek to secure legitimate retailers and online outlets for the promotion and sale of their products, however with online platforms now becoming the norm, more and more problems are coming to light. First of all, the customer loses out. Disappointed with a shoddy, poorly performing or deficient product, they're unlikely to have received any sort of guarantee that actually has a backbone, along with a negligible chance of getting their money back. Secondly, the original manufacturer whose product has been plagiarised is swamped with customer complaints about inferior products. Now faced with multiple grievances, they get held accountable for purchases made by unsuspecting buyers from highly questionable sellers and everyone's time and money fizzles away in to a black hole. Counterfeit goods and safety Did you know that there are serious risks involved with buying counterfeit goods? Fake goods, copies, knock-offs (whatever label you wish to apply to them) are often of a poor quality and in most cases unsafe. It's a question as to whether any of them have been subjected to the same vigorous safety checks as legitimate items. Plus, so many under-perform or are just downright dangerous. How to tell if your Doulton product is a genuine water filter First of all, trust your instincts. As the old saying goes: if an offer looks too good to be true, then it probably is. Legitimate, expertly manufactured goods are rarely discounted so don't be taken in. Secondly, check the details. Fraudsters cut corners on things like accurate copywriting and proofreading when marketing their items. They also make logos, branding or web addresses look similar to the original manufacturer. And, as an add-on to that, just because the web address contains "co.uk" don't assume the seller is based in the UK. Look for their UK address and contact number - they won't mind you contacting them if they are the genuine article. Thirdly, and probably most importantly, do they offer any authentication methods? Look for their product registration page, guarantee or warranty details, or any area where you can double check that what you're buying is genuine. Here at Doulton, we have an Authentication Centre where you can register and also enter unique identification numbers, which quickly authenticate your purchases. Have faith in what you buy and beat the rogue traders who want to take your money and leave you high and dry with a useless or even dangerous product. Counterfeiters and counterfeit products are an ever-increasing problem for everyone. Are you prepared to beat them at their own game? Doulton Water Filter products - safe, efficient & and genuine! Check out our water solutions now!
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Cut Waste & Help Millions Get Access To...
This week sees World Water Day take place and with each year the message resonates further - just how important this precious resource is to each and every one of us. It is unthinkable that in the 21st century there are millions of families who do not have access to clean drinking water. A staggering 663 million people still do not have access to a clean water supply. Children are dying after drinking contaminated water that has made them ill. Tragically, unsafe water and poor sanitation is estimated to cause 842,000 deaths every year. Water filters have proved vital in the battle to tackle this problem. The problem of wastewater Yet, in the face of this, wastewater remains a problem. By focusing on the problem this year's World Water Day hopes to shine a spotlight on this tragic reality that while so many go without, so much is still wasted. It is the developing countries worst affected by a lack of clean drinking water that also fail to channel their wastewater for another purpose where it could be used to cut costs, boost productions and ultimately help towards the costs of an infrastructure to support a more sanitary drinking water supply. Check out our Gravity Filter solutions now! So integral is the problem of wastewater that halving the amount left untreated is part of a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal to improve drinking water for all by 2030. As charities and agencies struggle to work towards a solution to the problem of sanitary infrastructures and the provision of clean drinking water, filters remain key to their work. Doulton's ceramic water filters use natural materials to cleanse contaminated drinking water, removing harmful contaminants. With families left with no option but to share unsafe water sources with animals, water filters really do help to save lives. A vital role for water filters In communities where fuel costs prove prohibitive to boiling water to remove impurities, water filters can be used instantly and without an ongoing daily cost. British Berkefeld® Water Filters are used in "˜Cleanwater kits", that have been sent out to communities in dire need of clean water in the wake of a humanitarian crisis. Cleanwater kits can be used on the go and will filter particles and pathogens out of almost any fresh water source. Already British Berkefeld® water filters have been introduced to households in rural South Africa and Zimbabwe by Aquapol in a bid to cut dysentery caused by drinking unsafe water. The rate of contagion fell by 80%, boosting adults' ability to work and, vitally, children's school attendance. Again, in Uganda, where fuel shortages made it difficult to boil impurities from water, communities were given Cleanwater kits to ensure they had access to clean drinking water. Projects such as these remain a lifeline to communities trapped in a cycle where a poor infrastructure to deal with wastewater is combined with a desperate need for clean drinking water. Wasting a precious resource The message this World Water Day is that wastewater is being neglected as an affordable source of water, energy and nutrients. It is hoped that in the long-term, rather than being disposed of, wastewater will be seen as a resource with a central role in bringing sanitary infrastructures to those in need. While the resources to install the systems needed to properly treat wastewater remain out of reach, water filters will continue to be a lifeline to families where clean drinking water sadly remains a precious luxury. Check out our Gravity Filter solutions now!
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