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Chlorine - A Toxic Gas
Chlorine is a toxic gas which attacks living cells. It
was used during World War I as a chemical warfare agent. It is
used today, in smaller doses of course, as an additive to drinking
water to kill harmful micro-organisms. Over the years researchers
have discovered that while chlorine does kill harmful bacteria
that could make us sick the chlorine itself, although it is in
smaller doses when added to our drinking water, affects the body
negatively, especially the cardiovascular system.
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Chlorine
and Its Affect on Cardiovascular Health
Since World War II they have known it has a direct affect on the
blood vessels of the body. When the Japanese where rebuilding
their cities after the war they installed water purification systems
using chlorine. Prior to this time they had never used it. Not
to soon after this the Japanese medical community began to notice
that the Japanese people were starting to have a lot of cardiovascular
health issues, namely heart attacks. Their investigation led them
to chlorine as the source of the causative factor. They discontinued
the use of chlorine.
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Young
Men and Advanced Arterial Disease
During the Korean War autopsies on young men in their early twenties
revealed advanced arterial disease considered appropriate for
men who would be in their eighties. When in combat the young men
were given tablets of chlorine to kill bacteria in any water they
may fill their canteens with in the field. Also, portable water
tanks pulled by trucks or jeeps, called water buffalos, would
have chlorine added to the water as well. Anyone who drank water
under these conditions would receive a very high dose of chlorine
that could be equivalent to drinking smaller doses over a longer
period of time.
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Chlorine
- A Powerful Irritant
As the years have gone more and more research has revealed the
chlorine is a toxic and irritating substance that damages the
lining of the blood vessel. As this occurs it produces in the
body a mechanism that trys to repair the damage by producing more
cholesterol, especially the LDL and VLDL, and other lipids such
as lipoprotein a. Also, the body kicks in the clotting system
sending platelets and fibrinogen to the affected areas. The muscle
cells in the blood vessel wall begin to grow as well. All of this
contributes to narrowing of the arteries as the plaque builds
up and the muscle cells expand cutting blood flow to the heart
and other affected areas.
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Chlorine
and Vitamin E
Besides being a powerful irritant, chlorine destroys vitamin E
reducing the body's ability to combat free radicals further contributing
to damaged cell tissue.
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Chlorine,
Halides and the Thyroid
Chlorine belongs to a group of chemicals
called halides. Other halides include fluorine in drinking water,
dental products and and bromides found in disinfectants, pesticides,
sodas, and dough conditioners for bread.
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Iodine
- A Benefical Halide
Another halide which is very beneficial to our health is organic
iodine, with iodine being the smallest. Iodine is required by
the body to be used in the thyroid along with the amino acid,
L-tyrosine, to produce a thyroid hormone called thyroxin. Without
sufficient thyroxin the whole body will be affected contributing
to health problems such as low energy, poor sleep patterns, slower
metabolism with weight gain, edema or water retention, hormone
inbalances, and poor bone remodeling contributing to osteoporosis.
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Chlorine
Displaces Iodine
When chlorine is taken into the body, it being smaller in size
than iodine, it will displace the iodine in the thyroid resuting
in poor thyroid function leading to health problems.
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TRIHALOMETHANES
Chlorine can also affect us negatively in an indirect way as well
by contributing to the production of chemicals called trihalomethanes.
These are are formed when chlorine used in drinking water reacts
with naturally occurring organic materials such as plants and
the dead bodies of animals . More than TEN human epidemiological
studies have indicated that these chemicals are associated with
rectal, bladder and pancreatic cancers. The current EPA standard
allows a THM concentration of 0.10 MG/L, but the National Academy
of Sciences has recommended that this standard be made more stringent.
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Water
Filters for Protection
Many people today are concerned about chlorine and the safety
of their drinking and have taken precautions such as buying bottled
water and using filters on the water that comes through the taps
in their homes. See Premium
10-Stage Water Filter
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Are
You Protecting Yourself When You Shower?
While many people are buying clean water and using filters
at home how many realize they also need protection when they shower
as well?
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What
is the Effect of Chlorine in the Shower?
Because Chlorine vaporizes along with the hot
water, it is inhaled into the lungs. It is also absorbed into
the skin. According to some experts, 5 times more Chlorine enters
the body through the skin during a shower than enters through
drinking 8 glasses of chlorinated tap water!
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Comments
From Others About Chlorine Exposure in the Shower
| "Volatile
organics can evaporate from water in a shower or bath."
from: Is Your Water Safe to Drink?
Consumer Reports Books |
| "A
long, hot shower can be dangerous. The toxic chemicals are
inhaled in high concentrations." from: Bottom
Line; Dr. John Andelman, PhD. |
| "Avoiding
contact with chlorinated water is of the utmost importance.
This includes bathing water and drinking water. Chlorine
kills bacteria, friendly and unfriendly, in the intestines.
it can be absorbed through the skin. I recommend installing
a shower filter to remove Chlorine."
-from: Patient, Heal Thyself; Jordan S.
Rubin, N.MD., PhD.
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| "Studies
show - a strong link between chlorinated water supplies
with elevated trihalomethane levels and cancers of the bladder,
kidney, liver, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, colon and
brain."
- from: The
Maker's Diet;
Jordan S. Rubin, N.MD., PhD. |
"at least 70% of the
skin's blemish- and wrinkle fighting hydration comes from
the water we consume. If you haven't done so already,
switching from chlorinated tap water-the water you shower
in- to reliably pure water will be perhaps the most important
health and beauty lifestyle upgrade you will ever make."
About dry skin, she points out. "Chlorinated water
can contribute to dry skin. Installing a shower filter
can make an unbelievable difference." - from: The
Truth About Beauty; Kat James
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The
Effect of Chlorine in the Shower on the Skin and Hair
Since chlorine attacks organic material, and the skin
and hair are organic, chlorine will have a drying effect on the
skin and hair.
| While
chlorine does kill harmful microscopic bacteria
it serves no useful purpose in or on the body.
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It's important to
your health to achieve chlorine free living.
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