What Do Water Filtration Systems Actually Filter?
Those relaxing, hot showers you love to take may actually pose unseen health risks. Studies on the long-term effects of chlorine in public water supplies have been ongoing for decades, and many have found links between chlorine exposure and serious health concerns in both humans and animals. While chlorine is commonly added to municipal water to disinfect it, excessive exposure through skin absorption and inhalation can be harmful.
How Chlorine Enters the Body
Many people assume they are protected from chlorine hazards because they drink filtered water. Unfortunately, that’s not the whole story. Research shows that two-thirds of the chlorine absorbed by the average person comes from taking hot showers. When hot water opens the pores, chlorine and other contaminants are more easily absorbed through the skin. Meanwhile, the steam created during a shower can contain up to 50 times more chlorine than the water itself, meaning you inhale chlorine vapor directly into your lungs.
Once inhaled or absorbed through the skin, chlorine enters the bloodstream immediately, bypassing the liver and kidneys, which normally help filter toxins. This direct exposure can contribute to respiratory irritation, skin dryness, and other long-term health concerns.
Chlorine Exposure Beyond the Shower
Swimming in chlorinated pools can also lead to absorption through the skin, particularly with frequent or prolonged exposure. If you own a pool, consider alternatives such as ozonators or ionizers, which significantly reduce the amount of chlorine required to maintain clean water.
Protecting Your Health with the Waterboy System
The good news is that there’s a simple solution. The Waterboy Whole House Water Filtration System from Superior Water removes chlorine before it ever reaches your showerhead. In the first stage of its advanced four-stage filtration process, Waterboy eliminates chlorine and other volatile organic compounds that affect the taste, smell, and safety of your home’s water.
By filtering water at the source, you can protect your family from chlorine inhalation and absorption—while also enjoying softer skin, healthier hair, and cleaner-smelling water.
Learn more about how the Waterboy Whole House Filtration System can safeguard your home’s water supply at SuperiorWater.
