Can chlorine in drinking water lead to food allergies?
Do you ever get the feeling that more people you know have food allergies than ever before? If so, you’re probably right. Food allergies are on the rise, especially among children. In fact, from 1997 to 2001, the Center for Disease Control found that food allergies increased by 50 percent among kids. Doctors are looking at several potential causes for the increase—including everyday drinking water.
Chlorine
In most households across the United States, the public water that flows from the kitchen tap has been treated with chlorine. For the past century, the chemical has been used to kill harmful germs and make water safe for consumption. Although some people are concerned about the potential health effects of chlorine, it’s still used in over 98 percent of the public water utility companies across the country.
Dichlorophenol
But chlorine commonly produces a chemical byproduct called dichlorophenol. Additionally, dichlorophenol is also found in some pesticides and herbicides. In 2014, the National Center for Biotechnology Information, a division of the National Institute of Health, published a study that found people with evidence of dichlorophenol in their urine were more likely to develop food allergies. People are being exposed to these chemicals, chlorine and the family of dichlorophenols, through both drinking water and pesticides in food.
Chemical levels may vary
Chlorine, and chloramine (chlorine with added ammonia), are both used to disinfect the public water supply. Regulations ensure safe levels for consumption. Nonetheless, the levels may vary between different water treatment systems. They may also rise and fall within a single public utility over the course of the year. For example, the water system in Washington, DC is undergoing a Chlorine Switch. DC Water announced that residents may notice a stronger chlorine taste and smell in their water during this event.
The Coway Aquamega filtration system can help you and your family avoid drinking water that smells and tastes like a swimming pool. The purifiers are certified by the Water Quality Association for their ability to reduce common water contaminants, including chlorine and chloramine by 96.2 percent, or more.
Disclaimers
1Coway air purifiers have been proven to trap dust, pollen, dander, viruses and bacteria in the air based on KCL (Korea Conformity Laboratories) testing.They have been tested in a 30㎥ size chamber according to the Korea Air Cleaning Association standard (SPS-KACA 002-132:2022 Modified) to measure the 0.01㎛ size of particle removal rate. It was tested on maximum airflow speed in normal room temperature and humidity conditions. The performance may vary in the actual living environment of customers.
→ Tested with Airmega Aim, 100, 150, 160, Airmega Tower AP-1216L, Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH, Airmega Mighty AP-1512HHS, 200M, Icon, IconS, 230, 240, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 350, 400, 400S, 450, ProX
299.97% of viruses, bacteria, fungi and pollen were verified to be removed from the air for Coway air purifiers which have Green True HEPA™ filter applied based on the Japan Food Research Laboratories(JFRL) testing according to JEM 1467 standard.
→ Tested with Coway Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH, Airmega Mighty AP-1512HHS, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S
→ All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
- Virus: Tested with Escherichia coli phage ΦX174 NBRC 103405, 60 minutes
- Bacteria: Tested with Staphylococcus epidermidis NBRC 12993, 60 minutes
- Fungi/Mold: Tested with Penicillium citrinum NBRC 6352, 60 minutes
- Pollen: Tested with Cedar Pollen extract, 60 minutes
3Aerosol test conducted in a Biosafety level 3 laboratory with two Coway air purifier models, Coway Airmega 250 and 400 for removal of SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol by US based MRI Global, a not-for-profit laboratory and partner of US Department of Defense. The test was conducted in a 13.1ft3 chamber. Virus was aerosolized for 15 minutes and the product was turned on high for 2 minutes. Result showed each product effectively removed over 99.98% of the SARS-CoV-2 in 2 minutes. This is a result from a laboratory experiment condition and result may vary in different conditions. This result does not imply it kills SARS-CoV-2 or prevents the transmission of Covid-19. Coway Airmega 250S and 400S are identical to the tested models and has equal performance with an additional mobile connectivity function.
4The concentration of ammonia, acetaldehyde and acetic acid were proven to be removed within 30 minutes by FCG Research Institute, Inc. Human Life Science Lab. It is not a demonstration result in the actual use space. Not all odors and gases may be supported. → Tested with Coway Airmega 150, 160, Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH, Airmega Mighty AP-1512HHS, 400, 400S
5The coverage area of the air purifier is based on an area where the air cleaner can make two air changes per hour (ACPH). An air change per hour translates to how many times an air purifier can clean an area, assuming the height of a ceiling to be 8 ft, in one hour. Therefore ** means two air changes per hour means that the cleaner can clean the area once every 30 minutes and * means air changes per hour means that the air purifier can clean the area once every 60 minutes.
10Terms and conditions apply. Discounts, including promotions, coupons, bundle discount and subscription discount, cannot be stacked on top of other coupons. During promotional periods, discount codes will not be able to be applied to orders. Promo codes may apply to products only—filters, accessories, and new products within 3 months of the release date are not included.
