Research has found that bacteria like the one causing nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) thrives in the gunk that builds up in your showerhead. This bacterium can cause lung disease, so it is important to change your showerhead regularly.
This is especially important for anyone with a weakened immune system or lung condition. Shower water contaminants can be removed by using a shower head filter. By installing an Afina shower head, you can instantly improve your shower experience, enjoying cleaner and softer water that’s gentler on your skin and hair.
Mold
Mold in the shower can make you sick if it isn’t removed quickly. This type of fungus is a common problem in bathrooms because water runs frequently and makes the area moist and humid. This provides the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, which are both unsightly and dangerous to your health.
Most of the time, when people talk about mold in their showers, they are referring to black mold (scientifically, Stachybotrys chartarum). This is considered toxic and can cause serious respiratory problems. It can also damage the structure of a building and lead to a variety of other problems.
There are thousands of known species of mold fungi, and many of them are harmless to humans. However, there are a few that can cause infections, and long-term exposure to any kind of mold may result in certain health problems. Most often, the problems are allergy-related and affect the nose, eyes, throat, lungs, and skin. Molds obtain nutrients by secreting hydrolytic enzymes from their hyphal tips and degrading complex biopolymers such as starch, cellulose, and lignin. This process is called heterotrophic degradation, and it allows the fungus to recycle nutrients within ecosystems.
Many people who live with a mold infestation report symptoms such as memory loss, trouble focusing, fatigue, headaches, and muscle aches. While these symptoms are usually caused by allergies to mold spores, some cases have been linked to a condition called toxic mold syndrome.
While toxic mold syndrome is not proven, there is enough evidence to support the fact that exposure to any kind of mold can lead to a variety of health problems. The symptoms are thought to be caused by mycotoxins, which are chemicals produced by the mold. It is thought that these chemicals can disrupt the body’s natural balance and cause a variety of symptoms.
While it is unlikely that you will get sick from the mycotoxins in your shower water, it is important to keep mold and mildew at bay to prevent a variety of health problems. The best way to do this is to clean the area as soon as you see it and remove any contaminated items. In addition, those with underlying health issues should consider immunotherapy or allergy shots to help them become less sensitive to mold spores.
Chlorine
Chlorine is used in our municipal water supply to disinfect and kill bacteria and germs. This process, however, is extremely irritating to our skin and lungs as well as toxic for the environment. In addition, the chlorine in our shower water can react with naturally occurring minerals to create harmful disinfection byproducts called chloramines, which have been linked to a wide variety of health problems including respiratory issues and exacerbation of asthma symptoms.
Chlorine, which is a toxic gas, is found in industrial manufacturing as bleach for paper and cloth and in the production of pesticides, synthetic rubber, and refrigerants. It has also been used as a chemical warfare choking agent. Chlorine is shipped in steel cylinders as a compressed, liquefied gas and is very hazardous when exposed to open flame, heat, or sunlight.
Acute exposure to chlorine at concentrations up to 10 ppm can cause respiratory irritation, including coughing and wheezing. Chronic (long-term) exposure can lead to eye and throat irritation, as well as gastrointestinal upset. Chlorine is a potent irritant that can cause burns to the skin and eyes. It also depresses the respiratory system, resulting in labored breathing and difficulty moving air.
Symptoms of exposure to chlorine include a burning sensation in the nose and throat, itchy eyes, watery nose and throat, difficulty breathing, headache, dizziness, and vomiting. If these symptoms occur, the affected person should remove themselves from the exposed area, seek fresh air, and wash with lukewarm water. If breathing becomes labored, the victim should be placed in an upright position and supervised until emergency personnel arrive.
Exposure to chlorine can also damage the kidneys, liver, and heart. Studies have shown that chlorinated water can increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer, as well as aggravate preexisting conditions such as bronchitis and eczema. Because of these dangers, it is important to reduce our exposure to chlorine as much as possible. Fortunately, there are a number of products available that can help. A simple shower filter can significantly lower the amount of chlorine in your water. Additionally, whole-house water filters can eliminate both chlorine and chloramine from your water.
Bacteria
Bacteria are prokaryotes-the simplest and oldest cells, with free-floating genetic material. They are found everywhere on earth, in every type of soil, rock and oceans, even in the ice of Antarctica. They are also present in our bodies, on our skin and in our breath. Some bacteria cause infection, others are good for us, and some help with important biological processes.
Shower water usually contains a mixture of both beneficial and harmful bacteria, especially when pipes are not cleaned properly or when there are heavy rains or flooding. The good news is that healthy people are not at risk of getting sick from these bacteria as long as the water is clean enough to drink, and is used only for things like washing clothing, bathing, or rinsing dishes. However, some groups of people are at higher risk of picking up germs in the bathroom or from other sources in the house, including humidifiers.
Studies have shown that some of the bacteria in your showerhead are actually cyanobacteria, which can cause respiratory infections in the lungs. The bacteria are there to make energy from photosynthesis, and the showerhead is a perfect environment for them because it is warm and wet. The cyanobacteria in your showerhead may also contribute to the formation of volatile organic compounds in the water, which can irritate your skin.
Another type of bacteria you might find in your showerhead is Legionella, which can cause a deadly pneumonia. This bacteria is present in most drinking water supplies, but it can grow and spread rapidly in hot water systems like those in homes and schools. It can be sprayed into the air in tiny droplets and then breathed in by people, causing them to get Legionnaires disease.
Generally, most healthy people don’t have problems with bacteria in their shower water, but they do need to be careful when using other household appliances that use water, such as humidifiers. These devices can be a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria, such as the parasite cryptosporidium, which can cause diarrhea and other symptoms in some people. This can be particularly dangerous for people with weak immune systems, such as those being treated with chemotherapy or a stem cell transplant, who are at high risk of developing serious or life-threatening infections.
Other Chemicals
Even though public water is regulated by the government, it still gets contaminated with harmful chemicals that can make you sick. This includes bacteria, parasites and even dangerous pathogens that can cause diseases such as gynecological infections. These contaminants can also damage the skin, hair and other organs. Using a shower filter can help remove the contaminants from your tap water and reduce the chances of illness.
Shower water filters work by removing chlorine and chloramine from your tap water. These chemicals are used to kill bacteria and other pathogens in your water. However, the chemical can pass through your pores while you shower and be absorbed into your body. This can lead to many different health problems including respiratory issues and skin problems.
Other chemicals can also be absorbed by the skin during a shower. This can include trihalomethanes, which are compounds that form when chlorine comes in contact with decaying organic matter in the water. These can enter your body through the skin or be inhaled as a vapor during your shower. These chemicals have been linked to various health problems such as cancer and respiratory illnesses.
Using a shower water filter can eliminate these dangerous chemicals from your shower. A good shower filter will use activated carbon to trap chlorine and other toxins from the water. These filters will also remove the unpleasant odors caused by the chemicals. Some shower filters will also use KDF media to neutralize harmful contaminants in your water. This process is called redox, and it converts these contaminants into harmless substances.
Shower water filters can also remove other chemicals from your tap water. This can include PFAS, which are commonly found in Teflon and other nonstick cooking ware. These chemicals have been linked to several health problems, including liver disease and cancer. Another common contaminant is heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury and lead. These can lead to a variety of health problems, from skin lesions to cardiovascular issues.
If you are concerned about the quality of your tap water, you should talk to a water treatment professional about a shower filter. These professionals can recommend the best type of shower filter for your home based on your specific needs and concerns. They can also install a filter and teach you how to use it properly. This will ensure that you get the most benefit from your new shower system.
