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.