A growing body of scientific evidence shows that chlorine in drinking water may actually pose greater long term health dangers than those for which it is used to eliminate. It is an undeniable fact that chlorine is an excellent germ killer. Its mandatory use in public swimming pools makes the water safe for all. But is it safe to drink?

Americans get 75% of the their water from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Such water is not safe as is and chlorine is the trusted chemical to kill the bacteria that may harm us. However, it is both expensive and not 100% effective in removing harmful parasites.

Here is a quote from dental surgeon Dr. N.W. Walker: “Chlorine is the greatest crippler and killer of the modern times. While it prevented epidemics of one disease, it was creating another. Two decades ago, after the start of chlorinating our drinking water in 1904, the present epidemic of the heart trouble, cancer and senility began.” The seeming connection between these is sobering, is it not?

Dr. J.M. Price MD states, “Cancer risks among people drinking chlorinated water is 93% higher than among those whose water does not contain chlorine.” If this is true, it is surely worthy of serious consideration. The chlorine can enter the system both through drinking and through the skin. Though outside the scope of this article, it is a fact that the hot chlorinated water of a shower can actually be an even greater danger than drinking the water!

Scientific studies have linked chlorine and chlorination by-products to cancer of the digestive and excretory system in the bladder, liver, rectum, and colon. Dr. Riddle, Ph.D. stated, “Each day in America, about 30 cases of rectal cancer may be associated with THMs (chlorination by-products) in drinking water.”

The circulatory system is also affected by chlorine, causing heart disease, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), anemia, high blood pressure, and allergic reactions.

Evidence also indicates that chlorine can destroy protein in our bodies and cause various adverse effects on skin and hair. The presence of chlorine in the water may also form compounds that will affect the taste and odor of the water.

Chlorine remains a required substance in public water systems. Therefore, it is up to the individual to remove it before the water is ingested. Besides the Berkey Shower Filter, some activated charcoal water filters, like the Crown Berkey, claim that they can remove all chlorine and chlorine compounds to “below detectable limits.” These pollutants include Chlorobenzene, Carbon Tetrachloride, Dichlorobenzene, Chloroform, and a number of others. The truth is, there is no need to wait until definitive research shows that chlorine causes long term problems. It is possible to remove it from the family water supply and increase the quality of our drinking water now.