Additional Resources

Fluoride 

 While fluoride has been added to public water supplies for decades to prevent tooth decay, recent research and legal developments have prompted renewed scrutiny of this practice. Concerns have emerged regarding potential health risks, including neuro developmental effects and other systemic impacts. This section provides resources for those interested in exploring the complexities of water fluoridation.

📚 Key Studies and Resources

• Fluoride Action Network (FAN) Study Tracker
  A comprehensive database of over 100 years of research on fluoride's effects on human and animal health, organized by health category, study type, author, journal, and date.
  🔗 FAN Study Tracker
• Federal Court Ruling on Fluoridation Risks
  In a landmark decision, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that fluoridation chemicals pose an "unreasonable risk" to children's health, mandating the EPA to regulate accordingly.
  🔗 Read the full article
• Health Effects Database by FAN
  An extensive compilation of scientific studies detailing the health impacts of fluoride ingestion, including neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and skeletal fluorosis.
  🔗 Explore the database
• Community Water Fluoridation: Evidence of Efficacy and Risks
  A report evaluating the balance between the benefits and potential risks of water fluoridation, including studies suggesting associations with lower IQ at certain fluoride levels.
  🔗 Read the report
• Economic Analysis of Fluoridation
  A study published in Public Health Challenges found that fluoridation may be a significant economic burden, estimating costs of $556 per person annually.
  🔗 View the study
• IQ Studies Related to Fluoride Exposure
  An overview of studies examining the relationship between fluoride exposure and intelligence, with many indicating a correlation between higher fluoride levels and reduced IQ in children.
  🔗 Fluoride IQ Studies
• Global Perspectives on Fluoridation
  While fluoridation is common in countries like the U.S. and Australia, many Western European nations have opted against it, citing various health and ethical concerns.
  🔗 Why Water Fluoridation Is Still In Dispute
• Huberman Lab Podcast On Fluoride
   Dr. Andrew Huberman and Dr. Staci Whitman discuss new data showing how fluoride might do more harm than good when consumed systemically. Dr. Staci Whitman, DMD, is a board-certified functional dentist for kids and adults. Dr. Andrew Huberman is a tenured professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford University School of Medicine and host of the Huberman Lab podcast.
  🔗 The Truth About Fluoride

For those seeking to delve deeper into the topic of fluoride in drinking water, these resources offer a wealth of information and diverse perspectives. Always consult with healthcare professionals and consider local guidelines when making decisions about water consumption and treatment.

PFAS in Drinking Water: The Need for Action

 While PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are widely used for their water- and grease-resistant properties, their persistence in the environment and the human body has raised significant concerns regarding potential health risks. Despite the regulatory standards, evidence continues to grow about the long-term effects of exposure to these "forever chemicals."

Regulatory Standards (ADWG)

In Australia, the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) provide the following recommended maximum levels for PFAS substances in drinking water:

• PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonate): Maximum 0.07 µg/L (70 ng/L)
• PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid): Maximum 0.56 µg/L (560 ng/L)
• PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid): Maximum 0.09 µg/L (90 ng/L)

Source: NHMRC – ADWG

Important Context on PFAS Exposure and the ADWG guidelines

While drinking water guidelines aim to limit harm, PFAS chemicals can accumulate from many everyday sources—including non-stick cookware, food packaging, stain-resistant fabrics, personal care products, and contaminated air or dust. There is currently no known safe level of PFAS exposure, and the cumulative effect from multiple sources can easily exceed the ADWG limits. This is why removing PFAS from your drinking water is one of the easiest and most impactful steps you can take to reduce your family’s exposure to these persistent “forever chemicals.”

Health Considerations

Studies have shown that exposure to elevated levels of PFAS in drinking water can be associated with several health risks, including:

• Endocrine disruption and hormone imbalances
• Increased risk of certain cancers, such as kidney and testicular cancer
• Reduced immune response and slower development in children
• Potential developmental effects such as lower birth weight and impaired cognitive function in children

PFAS are persistent in both the environment and the human body, meaning they accumulate over time. Long-term exposure could lead to irreversible health effects.

The Blue Mountains Case

In Australia, the Blue Mountains region in New South Wales (NSW) has become a focal point in the fight against PFAS contamination. Residents of Medlow Dam and Greaves Creek Dam discovered elevated PFAS levels in their drinking water — exceeding the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

In 2024, a class action lawsuit was filed against the New South Wales government, urging for comprehensive testing and health assessments for residents exposed to the contaminated water. The Fluoride Action Network and local environmental organizations continue to call for swift action and greater accountability from both government and water authorities.

Source: ABC News – Blue Mountains PFAS Contamination

Why Consider Removing PFAS from Your Water?

While PFAS levels in most municipal water supplies are below the regulatory limits, the ongoing concerns about long-term health effects, combined with the persistence of these chemicals in our environment, make it a wise choice for many households to remove PFAS from their drinking water.

Our reverse osmosis filtration systems are specifically designed to reduce PFAS, ensuring your family enjoys cleaner, safer water. Whether you're concerned about contamination from local water sources or simply want to safeguard your family's health, investing in high-quality filtration is one of the most effective steps you can take.

Chlorine, Chloramine, and Disinfection By-products: Understanding the Risks

• Formation of Disinfection By-products (DBPs)
  When chlorine or chloramine is used to disinfect drinking water, they can react with natural organic matter to form DBPs such as trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), which are associated with various health risks.
  🔗 Read more​    AIP Publishing
• Cancer Risks Associated with THMs
  Long-term exposure to THMs in drinking water has been linked to an increased risk of bladder and colorectal cancers. A recent study suggests that even levels below current regulatory limits may pose health risks.
  🔗 Learn more​    Food & Wine
• Skin and Respiratory Irritation
  Exposure to chlorinated water can cause skin irritation and exacerbate conditions like eczema. Inhalation of chloramine vapors during activities like showering may also lead to respiratory issues.
  🔗 Details here​
• Emergence of Unidentified DBPs
  Recent research has identified previously unknown DBPs, such as chloronitramide, formed during chloramination. The health effects of these compounds are not yet fully understood, raising concerns about their potential toxicity.
  🔗 Explore the findings​
• Regulatory Standards and Limitations
  While regulatory agencies set maximum allowable levels for certain DBPs, studies indicate that health risks may still be present at concentrations below these limits, suggesting a need for stricter regulations.
  🔗 Review the study​
• Novel Disenfection By-Products
   Disenfection by-products and other emerging contaminants in drinking water
  🔗 Read Study here​

For households concerned about DBPs in drinking water, installing a reverse osmosis filtration system can effectively reduce these contaminants, providing safer and cleaner water, as well as a full Home Filtration System​

If you need assistance in selecting or installing a suitable filtration system, feel free to reach out.

Microplastics and Nanoplastics: The Invisible Contaminants in Your Water

 

• • What Are Microplastics and Nanoplastics?
    Microplastics are plastic fragments less than 5 mm, while nanoplastics are even smaller. They result from the breakdown of larger plastics or are directly released from synthetic materials.
    Read article
• • Microplastics Found in 80% of Global Tap Water
    A global investigation by Orb Media revealed that over 80% of global tap water samples—Australia included—contained microplastics.
    View Orb Media’s report
• • Health Concerns and Cellular Impact
    Micro- and nanoplastics may trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, and potential cell damage when ingested. Long-term health risks are still being studied.
    Study summary from Medical News Today
• • Found in Bottled and Tap Water
    The WHO and researchers from State University of New York found microplastic particles in both bottled and tap water, with bottled water often worse.
    WHO’s microplastics report
• • Nanoplastics May Reach the Brain
    Research suggests nanoplastics can cross the gut barrier and even the blood-brain barrier, potentially affecting neurological health.
    ScienceDaily: Nanoplastics in the brain
• • Australians May Ingest a Credit Card’s Worth Weekly
    A study by the University of Newcastle found Australians may ingest up to 5 grams of plastic per week—equivalent to a credit card—largely through drinking water.
    Plastic ingestion by people
• • How to Remove Them from Drinking Water
    Advanced water filtration, such as reverse osmosis (RO), can effectively eliminate micro- and nanoplastics from drinking water.
    Read the effectiveness study