Water Softeners and Air Filtration Systems - Long Term Health Effects of Iron in Water

Hello, does anyone know of any long term health effects of too much iron in house water? Like other posters here, my toilet, bathtub, etc are stained brown. If I drain my tub with a white washcloth in the drain a dark circle of brown appears. It grosses me out to think that this stuff is leaching into my body, never mind my children.

Thanks,

DOug

Whether you should be concerned depends on just how much iron you're ingesting. The body does need iron, so all you may be doing is getting what's necessary. If you're still concerned, a blood test for iron levels would be the next step. There are iron filters available for water supplies.

I wouldn't count on the iron coming from the ground to serve your bodily needs. There is really no valid reason NOT to treat the iron (and many other minerlas, metals, gases and organisms) coming from the ground with the notion that they are benefitional to the body to maintain or promote good health.

1. Many of the elements are inorganic and cannot interact with the cells of the body; they simply pass through the body with negligable benefits. I have seen little evidence that most of these minerals and metals are healthful.

2. If it were true that they do benefit your health, are you receiving 0.02%, 200% or 2,000% of your daily needs? No way to measure or control. What side effects do they create? Any effect to kidney stones, gall bladders, gastro-intestinal reactions?

My advice is to remove them from the water and if you are concerned with minerals, maintain a healthful diet and suppliment your nurishment with quality vitamins and minerals. Counting on ground water to replace the minerals and metals that your body really can use, is a red herring and old wives tale.

Furthermore, the damage to your plumbing, fixtures, flat- and glassware, toilets, laundry, skin, hair, etc., alone, is enough to justify correcting your water issues with quality equipment by professionals.

Please do not infer that I am suggesting that the iron you mention is a detriment to your health; it just doesn't make much sense to maintain the quality you are presently experiencing. There are more effective ways to benefit from necessary nutritiants.

A water treatment system is a valuable investiment and, correctly placed, will provide decades of assurance of improved water quality.