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Comment by em3rgent0rdr | Hacker News Reader

My understanding is water in US is generally very safe. I've been drinking tap my whole life. My understanding is human body can filter out or otherwise deal with small amounts of metals and other stuff, and that most city water systems are sufficient. I don't use a water filter at home, and drink from the faucet, and I seem to still be alive. I'll remain in the control group. But just my one data point.

"The Environmental Protection Agency regulates more than 90 contaminants—but a hundred more that are tracked are so far unregulated."

But are we supposed to worry about these other "contaminants"?

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I'd be careful with the assumption that just because you're doing fine now, means you will continue to when you're 50+.

Watch this, if you haven't already:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84glf6F3b-Y

"The Devil We Know". It's a documentary about the Ohio river valley polution by 3M and Dupont in the production of Teflon. There are many amazing parts in this documentary but one of the most eye opening, is the fact that Dupont understood the risks of dumping C8 into the water. Yet the continued to do it, because, profits.

Who can say what companies are around you, polluting the ground water? Just be careful with assumptions that its always safe, is all I'm saying. I'm sure people in the Ohio River Valley thought the same.

These guys like 3M and Dupont and Monsanto are doing worse things than tech to destroy our society - why aren't we hearing calls to break them up or take them over or stopping their operations in our society? (ie. Are you listening Elizabeth Warren?)

Not sure I see the link between the two and one doesn't preclude the other. Since you bring up Elizabeth Warren, she has brought up Monsanto a few times [0].

[0] ://www.motherjones.com/environment/2017/12/elizabeth-warren-just-let-loose-on-trump-and-monsanto/

Dupont, Monsanto et al. have been the target of leftist rhetoric for many decades.

This is phrased as if it's supposed to be damning, and I'm not sure why. Both companies have been less than supportive of moves to determine if their practices and products are safe. As a business decision: yes, sound, but unfortunately, it's conceivable that their interests could encroach on what's necessary for the public good. Considering the breadth of their holdings and influence, it's important to be vigilant for even accidental missteps on their part.

I'm only damning MrTonyD's ignorance of politics, you're preaching to the choir.

The linked article just said the that 1/4 of the population drink water that doesn’t meet standards. So your first assertion is wrong.

> Our analysis showed that 82 percent of public schools in New York had one or more taps that exceeded the state’s lead action level

The above is just one example of what is going on.

That stat has nothing to do with the water supply; it's due to crappy plumbing in school construction there.

> My understanding is human body can filter out or otherwise deal with small amounts of metals

Your body certainly struggles to filter heavy metals. Studies have shown that any amount of e.g. lead is harmful.

> I don't use a water filter at home, and drink from the faucet, and I seem to still be alive.

A few years ago I tried out Brita water filters. The water tasted weird and a single glass of water didn't leave me feeling as hydrated as straight from the tap did.

Convenient that "doing nothing and not worrying about it" is both what you believe after doing exactly 0 research, AND the correct response to drinking tap water! What are the odds?

Depends on where you live.

Chicago water is notoriously shitty and has been found to have a large amount of lead in it.

Your body cannot filter out lead or other heavy metals, and it will build up in your system and lead to brain damage. I know it is macho to "not worry about those contaminants like some weak manlet" but you should actually know what is going into your body before making unilateral decisions.

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