Germs Thrive in America's Water Systems

The corroding pipes that bring water to Americans may be carrying dangerous drug-resistant bacteria, including legionella, pseudomonas, and mycobacteria. An analysis of 100 million Medicare records from 1991 to 2006 found that more than 617,000 older Americans were hospitalized as a result of becoming infected with these three common bacteria. Despite treatment in public water systems, when chlorinated water leaves the treatment plant, it may have to travel such a long distance that chlorine content becomes depleted and no longer kills bacteria lurking in pipes. Lynn Thorp, the national campaigns director of Clean Water Action writes, "We are only beginning to understand what goes on inside our buildings in the plumbing… I don't think people should be alarmed; I think they should understand that this is something we can't ignore." Journal of Public Health Policy, September 2016

www.southsidechiropracticcarinjuryclinic.com | Dr. Matthew Lowry