Water Filter Information

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

Parents (unknowingly) may be exposing and even encouraging their children to take lead into their bodies each and every day. Where does this lead come from and why does nobody seem to know about it? 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.

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
Even relatively low-level exposure to lead can cause some significant health breakdowns. Continued exposure to lead can also affect nervous system functioning, resulting in impairment of mental functioning, difficulty in memory and concentration, and inability to sleep. A lifetime of exposure to lead can adversely affect kidney functioning.

Effects of Lead Poisoning on Babies and Young Children
Lead is especially damaging to babies and small children, due to the relative ease at which their bodies absorb the contaminant and the sensitive nature of their developing brains. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one out of every 22 children has high levels of lead in his blood.

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.

It is also without doubt vital to begin, or continue using, a home water filtration system. 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.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/