The Water We Drink: Water Quality and Its Effects on Health - Softcover

Barzilay, Joshua; Weinberg M.D., Winkler G.; Eley, William

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0813526736 ISBN 13: 9780813526737

Publisher: Rutgers University Press, 1999

Synopsis

We all drink water and water-based fluids, yet most of us take water for granted. We assume that when we turn on the tap to fill our glass, bathtub, or washing machine, clean water will flow. But is it really safe? And if it is not, what can we do about it? The doctors who have written The Water We Drink provide readers with practical information on the health issues relating to water quality and suggest ways we can improve the quality and safety of our drinking water.

Most of us do not realize that any small amount of contaminants found in drinking water may, over time, increase our susceptibility to many of the chronic illnesses that are becoming increasingly prevalent in our society as the population ages, illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. Contaminants have also been linked to increased rates of infertility.

TheWater We Drink begins with a review of the history of water, disease, and drinking water as it relates to disease and sanitation. The manner in which drinking water is currently regulated is described, along with information on water sources and treatment. The authors then examine health issues relating to drinking water, including infectious diseases, cancer risks, estrogens and fertility, and the effects of mineral and heavy metal content. They look at the benefits and risks of bottled waters and of water purification systems currently available to consumers.

The book also provides clear, understandable lists of contaminants levels in drinking water both regulated and unregulated by law, cancer causing contaminants of drinking water and their sources, and the mineral and sodium contents of commonly used bottled waters. A helpful glossary of terms, as well as a bibliography of additional agencies, books, and web sites to consult  for more information on drinking water and health, are also provided.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

We all drink water and water-based fluids, yet most of us take water for granted. We assume that when we turn on the tap to fill our glass, bathtub, or washing machine, clean water will flow. But is it really safe? And if it is not, what can we do about it? The Water We Drink provides readers with practical information on the health issues relating to water quality and suggests ways we can improve the quality and safety of our drinking water.

The Water We Drink begins with a review of the history of water, disease and sanitation. The authors then examine health issues relating to drinking water, including infectious diseases, cancer risks, and the effects of mineral and heavy metal content. They look at the benefits and risks of bottled waters and of water purification systems currently available to consumers. A helpful glossary of terms, as well as a bibliography of additional agencies, books, and web sites to consult for more information on drinking water and health, is also provided.

About the Author:

Dr. Joshua is in the division of endocrinology of the Southeast Permanente Medical Group and a faculty member at the Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Winkler G. Weinberg is chief of infectious diseases for the Southeast Permanente Medical Group and the author of No Germs Allowed!: How to Avoid Infectious Diseases at Home and on the Road (Rutgers University Press). Dr. J. William Eley is an associate professor at the Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University.

About this edition

• Publisher: Rutgers University Press
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0813526736
• ISBN 13: 9780813526737
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192