Louise stopped drinking tap water about 12 years ago.
Since then, hundreds of pounds have eliminated all kinds of nomination systems at home in an attempt to alleviate their concern about water quality.
“It has always been a concern for me,” says 34 -year -old nurse, from Greater Manchester, for Sky News.
“In my line, I deal with a lot of bacteria.
She says that although her fears may be just “speculation” – and there are strict rules for hand hygiene and control of the infection on its NHS wing – the water was “personal concern” for more than a decade.
Women, well -learned and city graphics feel the most anxious anxious
A study published last year showed that 52.3 % of people in 141 countries were concerned about being harmed by drinking water in the next two years.
The research, which used polling data for 2019 from more than 148,000 people, found that water concerns were more common among women, people living in urban areas, those with higher levels of education, and people with financial difficulties.
In the United Kingdom, more than 20 % was anxious, while the latest water survey of water regulator also showed that confidence in water companies decreased to 65 % by the end of 2022 – compared to 76 % at the beginning of that year.
Claire Hanson, 59, from Shallitham
Claire, 59, from Schellitham, says she stopped drinking tap water after her father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and cancer more than a decade ago.
“My father is very well,” she says. “Very early in his treatment, one of the consultants told him to make small changes that will help – eating organic food and drinking filtered water.”
Her parents bought a candidate jug and a filtering system under the differences – and soon followed her example.
Claire says she also interrogated the quality of local water after she left Flash flood in 2007 through her Glosterchire and her neighbors without drinking water for three weeks.
When the Severn River was immersed, the polluted flood water flooded the local treatment plant, leaving the non -divided supplies.
Claire is now using a repamable filter cartridge called Pure Pods, while Louise chooses Water2-a TAP filter that is owned by Bear Grylls.
Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire during the 2007 flood. Preparation: PA
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“When the water was turned on – the smell that came out of the tap was incredible,” she recalls.
“The amount of chemicals that they had to pump into the tap to make it is suitable for drinking.”
Last May, the damaged air valve at the South Westwater Time Vitosporidium allowed to enter a tank near Bryxham, Devon – which left many with diarrhea and diarrhea and 17,000 families without water For eight weeks.
The Population of Brexham tells, Devon not to use tap water in May
Diseases that stimulate diseases “rare”
Professor Louisa Ursini, professor of evolutionary biology and environment in environmental pathology and environmental mechanicals, says that the UK Inspector Inspector (DWI) and other organizational agencies apply to very strict rules to confirm at the University of Birmingham.
“Tolerance is nearly zero to any of these causes in drinking water.
“But our research shows that although DWI is happy with the things they are watching – there are things that are not monitored.”
Water supplies packed in bottles ready for distribution to the population near Bryxham, Devon in May. Pre -approval: PA
The chemicals are forever (PFAS) are “silent killers”
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAs) are a group of about 10,000 “chemicals forever”, called because there is little evidence they do over time.
It is used to make local and industrial products including carpets, polishing floors, frying ponds, cosmetics, and food packing.
A study conducted by the team of experts at the University of Birmingham found 10 targets in 99 % of bottled water samples and its ultimate cities in the UK and 14 other countries.
While materials like Cryptosporidium and E.coli It can be deadly for people with weak immune systems, while their effects are very unpleasant, they are immediate and for most relatively short -term people.
But PFAS has been linked to many types of cancer, Parkinson’s disease, reduced fertility, and antibiotics resistance and vaccines. Infants are particularly vulnerable because their nervous and immune systems are not completely formed.
“The chemicals forever are silent killers,” says Professor Ursini. “They have very strong harmful effects over time even in very low doses – this is the message we want to share from our research.”
According to experts, PFAS is particularly related to the double cause that current wastewater treatment technology in the United Kingdom is not enough to remove it – and the organization is not strict enough.
Most of the works have a preliminary and secondary processing process, which is effective in getting rid of pathogens and some chemicals – but not PFAs because they are very fixed.
Therefore, high treatment is needed to remove it, even when it occurs at very low levels, says Professor Ursini.
Academics and their team have developed a bilateral treatment that can reduce PFAs, other toxic chemicals, and insecticides in wastewater using small water fleas – known as Daphnia – to rid them.
They argue that this is a better and environmentally friendly alternative to some of the intensive energy systems currently being developed.
Water is tested in a treatment center. The prior approval file
No legal duty to remove PFAS
As for the organization, there is no legal condition for water companies to remove PFAs in England and Wales. The World Health Organization does not have a framework for them either, but it recommends that the countries be aimed at “low concentrations as much as it is reasonably practical.”
Before Britain’s exit from the European Union, the United Kingdom was adopting an end of 0.1 micrograms per liter – equivalent to one part per billion – in line with the European Union.
This is the current guidance in England and Wales – but there is no legal condition. Last year, Scotland provided 0.1 micrograms per liter in law for 20 PFAs.
Earlier this year, the US Environmental Protection Agency imposed tougher rules – the maximum of 0.4 ng per liter – or four parts per trillion – due to the potential human harm.
Professor Ursini and Dr. Abdullah are among 50 scholars who wrote to the government calling for a tougher and legal organization on PFAS.
A draft law has now been presented by the Liberal Democratic Representative Monira Wilson and will receive a second reading in the House of Commons.
But Professor Ian Cozins, an environmental chemist at Stockholm University in Sweden, who also signed the thesis, warns: “Because the UK was slow to act on PFAs pollution, many British people were unnecessarily exposed to a group of PFAs. “
Sky News called the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Department for more comments.
The home filters remove a “large amount”
Feeling of anxiety?
Dr. Abdullah says: “Not everything is death and depression.”
“There are simple things that can be done at home to help.
“Carbon filters – either cartridges you buy or that are already equipped in refrigerators that distribute water – effective in removing PFAS.”
Both experts say they use these types of filters themselves.
“Carbon filter removes a great deal of different pollutants – including PFAs – a good news for everyone who is concerned about it, including me.”
Home candidate systems at home come either in a jug, countertop shape, attached directly to click, or tubes below the pelvis. It varies in the price from about 50 pounds to 350 pounds.
A jug with carbon water filter. Performing approval file: Istock
Cupping water filter. Pre -approval: Istock
The reverse osmosis filters, which remove all impurities, are much more expensive, and often you need to install outside – as the water enters directly to the house.
It also removes some useful minerals in water, however – such as zinc and calcium – but can be restored either by the system itself or in drops you can buy.
The reverse osmosis filter system is outside a feature. Performing approval file: Istock
In some parts of the world, and when the errors are found in the water supply in the UK, people summarize their water to get rid of pathogens.
But research shows that boiling only removes microbial pollutants – and will not eliminate PFAS.
What about bottled water?
Over the past five years, Reda, 26 years old, his parents, and his brothers buy their water – and do not drink any of the tap.
The family, who lives in London, buys nearly three packages of six -dimensional bottles per week.
Reda, who works as a consultant in a humanitarian research tank, says he made the initial decision to help increase and monitor the amount of water – after suffering from adolescent kidney problems.
“He encourages me to drink more,” he tells Sky News. “It is a type of pressure to finish the bottle – and it allows me to track the amount of sugar throughout the day.”
He says that traveling a lot – to countries where the water bottled in the Golden standard bottles – and the media reports of the water supply that have been “reinforced” usually the water bottled in bottles.
Reda Hussein, 26, from London
But what do experts say?
Water bottled has its own regulations – but it imposes the same borders on pathogens and chemicals such as tap water.
The test and enforcement is due to the Food and Local Council standards agency – but this depends on the acting samples – so not every bottle is tested on the shelves.
“People tend to think of water from the tap are not safe like water from a bottle – but the opposite is exactly true,” says Professor Ursini.
“The tap water passes regular and strict control elements before distributing them – so they are safer than any other source.
“It faces the water bottled in the risk of threats to your flour plastic – so TAP is the best option – especially when combining the filter.”
From last year, bottled water manufacturers were forced to prove compliance with a 0.1 microgram per liter on PFAS as part of their business plans.
A DEFRA spokesman said: “Water -bumped water is organized to ensure consumer protection, with water sources for springs and natural mineral water protected from pollution,” said a DEFRA spokesman.
“UK drinking water standards are exceptionally high and are among the best in the world. Water companies must make regular risks and samples to ensure that drinking water supply is safe.”