| Selenium is quite common in well water and city water supplies. This
article discusses where it comes from and how water testing
can detect it. Once water testing tells you the level of selenium
in your water, you can install the right water filter to remove
it.
A new Web site
was recently launched by a non-profit organization of researchers
and engineers who are concerned about the growing evidence
of adverse health and environmental effects from products
containing selenium.
In fact, Congress was so concerned about the significantly
increasing levels of selenium in the environment that they
directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct
a study of selenium's "potentially injurious effects to the
environment and human health." I commend their efforts because
selenium is just one more element I find in more and more
public water supplies.
It's important to note, however, your body needs low levels
of selenium to maintain good health. Still, exposure to high
levels of selenium can cause adverse health effects.
You typically get enough selenium from the food you eat or
from a daily vitamin supplement. There is no need for selenium
to be in your water supply, because it has been classified
as a bioaccumulative toxin, right up there with mercury, lead,
PCBs and dioxins. Selenium is also part of the EPA's toxic
release inventory.
What is Selenium and How is it Used?
Selenium is a solid black, gray or reddish element found in
rocks and soil (and present in coal and oil). You may be surprised
about the variety of products that use it:
• TVs and computers
• Glass
• Pharmaceuticals
• Farm feed additive
• Paints, plastics, inks and rubber (for color)
• Pesticides
• Fungicides
• Anti-dandruff shampoos
Environmental Discharges
Selenium has also been identified by the EPA as one of several
hazardous materials released from electronic waste (E-waste).
This means that hazardous substances found in millions of
computers, TV sets, cell phones and other electronic products
that are discarded every year leach into the environment.
In fact, government sources report approximately 220 million
tons of E-waste are generated each year in the United States.
Electric utilities burn coal and oil (which contains selenium)
to fuel their turbines and generate electricity. The soot
resulting from burning coal and oil is pumped into the air
and ultimately deposited by rain into rivers, lakes and underground
water supplies. And, selenium waste from farm animal discharges
also leaches into surrounding water supplies.
The EPA reported that in 2003 more than 3.3 million pounds
of selenium and selenium compounds were disposed of in the
United States. Here are the top 10 states in terms of the
highest levels of reported discharges:
1. Texas
2. Nevada
3. Utah
4. Idaho
5. Pennsylvania
6. Ohio
7. West Virginia
8. Oregon
9. Alabama
10. Indiana
Health Effects
Long-term exposure to high levels of selenium has been linked
to causing hair and fingernail loss, damage to the nervous
system, fatigue, irritability and may also cause circulatory
system problems. Over the long haul, it can also result in
the discoloration of the skin, excessive tooth decay, tooth
discoloration, lack of mental alertness and listlessness.
Selenium has also been shown to cause reproductive difficulties
in laboratory animals.
If you've recently been exposed to high levels of selenium,
blood and urine tests should detect it. If you've been exposed
over the long term, toenail clippings can be used to detect
it.
Does Your Water Contain Selenium?
To protect your health, I urge you to find out if selenium
and other contaminants are in your water supply. If they are,
get the right treatment system to remove them. Don't assume
you can tell if your water is safe just by the way it looks,
tastes or smells.
Dangerous levels of toxins in your water can only be detected
by sophisticated laboratory equipment.
|
Contact Us
