Water is very important for consumption and hygiene. We use it to cook our foods, sanitation, and to keep our bodies hydrated among many other uses. As critical as it is, hundreds of millions of people lack access to safe, clean water.
Among them, a significant percentage uses a different form of water known as hard water. Hard water has a high concentration of magnesium and calcium ions. This hardness can, however, be caused by many other dissolved metals such as barium, iron, zinc, and manganese.
Unfortunately, using this water can bring about several issues that can prove detrimental to you and your family’s health. Here’s what you need to know about the risks of using hard water and what you should do about it. And click here to learn more about water softener.
1. Skin Damage and Irritation
One of the clearest effects of using hard water is eczema and skin irritation, especially in young children. Using hard water with high concentrations of calcium and magnesium will make your skin dry and can cause bumpy patches on your skin.
2. Cardiovascular Disease
A lot of studies have shown a correlation, although not so strong, between regular consumption of hard water and cardiovascular disease, especially in men.
For instance, in South Africa and Finland, scientific research found that deaths that came about as a result of ischemic heart disease were inversely related to the consumption of drinking water high in magnesium.
3. Hair Loss
Unprecedented hair loss is another effect of using hard water. Silica, magnesium, and calcium can cause dryness, breakage, and thinning of hair. Frequent use of hard water can also cause damage to your hair follicles which can bring about dandruff.
4. Formation of Kidney Stones
Medical research has found that there is a relationship between water hardness and levels of magnesium and calcium in urine. More than 75% of all kidney stones are made of calcium salt and as highlighted above, water is made ‘hard’ by the presence of carbonate salts of calcium.
Studies by scientists from Taiwan found that there’s a statistical relation between cancer in certain areas of the body such as the colon, pancreas, and the gastric and rectal regions of the body with the hardness of water.
How to Get Rid of Hard Water
If you use hard water at home, there are various ways through which you can treat the water.
For example, you can install a water softener. Water softeners are able to remove minerals in water, making it smooth and safe for use and consumption. For more information on water softeners and home filtration systems, feel free to check out nusoftwatersystems.com
Another way through which you can soften hard water is with the use of vinegar. All-natural vinegar is acidic in nature and will dissolve calcium in water. Just make sure you filter your water at least three times after mixing it with vinegar.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to water, we need to have a strong understanding of the kind of water we use at home. Hard water is regarded as an etiological factor worldwide, causing many diseases such as cancer, neural diseases, and renal dysfunction.
However, you shouldn’t be too alarmed as a lot of people can drink hard water without experiencing any side effects.