According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the amount of children who have been identified as being on the autism spectrum rose from 1 in every 150 children to 1 in every 68 children between 2000 and 2010. Although there are many theories as to why this is the case, one possible contributing factor is exposure to chemicals in our drinking water. Today we’re going to talk about the connection between water and autism and how a home water filtration system can protect you and your family from exposure to potentially dangerous contaminants.
Study finds connection between antidepressant-contaminated drinking water and autism
In a 2012 study, researchers determined that fish that were exposed to small traces of psychiatric medications in water showed gene patterns similar to those found in people with autism. The study suggests that exposure to small amounts of antidepressants in drinking water can also be a cause of autism in humans. Contaminated drinking water is seen as problematic not just for infants, but also to pregnant women because fetuses can be exposed to the drugs through their mothers.
The study also pointed to previous studies that have linked autism-like symptoms to rats that were exposed to similar drugs.
How do pharmaceutical drugs get into our water supplies?
Traces of pharmaceutical drugs are often found in water supplies that are located downstream of water treatment plants that process human waste. Not only do these drugs show up in small concentrations in urine, but many people also flush the drugs themselves down the toilet to dispose of them.
How can a home water filtration system limit your exposure to pharmaceutical drugs?
The water filtration systems that we offer at North Carolina Water Consultants, such as our high-quality selection of products from Hague and Hellenbrand, can remove the small traces of pharmaceutical drugs that might remain in your drinking water once it arrives at your home.
The whole house filtration systems that we offer will filter the water at every tap in your home, and advanced systems like our reverse osmosis filters are extremely effective at removing nearly any type of water contaminant.
If you have any questions about the links between water quality and autism, or if you’d like a water treatment system serviced or installed in your home, contact North Carolina Water Consultants, your North and South Carolina dealer of water filtration and water softening systems.