Water Filter Information

Lead is one of the most dangerous toxins a person can be exposed to in his lifetime.

The seemingly safe tap water of most homes in the United States contains lead. When we drink this water untreated, we are consistently allowing lead to poison the inner workings of our bodies.

Most parents think that they are doing an adequate job of protecting their children from lead exposure, but they may be exposing and even encouraging their children to take lead into their bodies each and every day.

Unequivically, we all know that lead is dangerous and that we should make efforts to avoid it, but what exactly is so very dangerous about lead? It is only a naturally occurring metal, after all, and iron--one more naturally occurring metal--is supposed to be good for the body. Lead, however, while dangerous for all people, leads to especially damaging health and mental breakdowns in babies and young children.

General Health Effects of Lead
Short-term exposure to large amounts of lead has been known to cause severe vomiting, cramping, convulsions, coma, and even death. While such exposure is increasingly unlikely in today's world, even relatively low-level exposure to lead can cause some significant health breakdowns.

Effects of Lead Poisoning on Babies and Young Children
Concerning the impact of lead poisoning on children, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency recently stated, "Childhood lead poisoning remains a primary environmental health problem in the U.S."

Diagnoses of hyperactivity and learning disabilities are growing by leaps and bounds in public schools, perhaps because of so much unknowing exposure to lead and increasing cases of lead poisoning. The younger the child is, the more damaging lead poisoning can be. The ingestion of lead is notably harmful to babies during the critical third trimester of pregnancy. Lead can also pass into a baby's body through breast-feeding.

What You Can Do
It is incredibly important to have your child tested for lead poisoning if you suspect or notice any of the symptoms. With early treatment, many of these complications can be quickly alleviated.

Every parent wants to give her children every opportunity possible to succeed; taking a few minutes to provide clean, healthy water to drink is one of the best and easiest ways to bring about this goal. Untreated tap water is likely the culprit of the majority of you and your child's exposure to lead. A simple home water filter can remove lead quickly and easily to ensure that you and your family are protected from the volatile, dangerous nature of this metal.

Vanessa Lausch is a writer for http://www.historyofwaterfilters.com/ - online source for water information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/