Is Your Drinking Water Giving You Allergies?

Frightening faucet news: new research suggests that the tap water you drink may give you food allergies. According to ScienceDaily, a new study has found a correlation between a chemical found in drinking water and a rise in food allergies.

The chemical in question is called dichlorophenol, which is added to drinking water in order to chlorinate it. Most people who consume dichlorophenol are unaware that it is even in their water.

Since the study, published by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, points to a correlation rather than a causation, it would be erroneous to say the conclusions are definitive. However, after testing more than 10,000 Americans, the research demonstrated that those who had the highest levels of dichlorophenol in their urine were far more likely to have food allergies, providing some cause for alarm.

Unfortunately, even if you avoid tap water, dichlorophenol is still likely to find its way into your body. In addition to water, this same chemical is found in many pesticides that farmers use on their crops. In fact, the research hints that dichlorophenol consumed via produce may put eaters at a greater risk for food allergies than tainted tap water.

Currently, 15 million people in the United States have food allergies. Since the 1990s, food allergies have increased by 18%, indicating that something new is triggering these conditions in more people.

Though adults tend to assume that they are immune to new allergies past a certain age, Dr. Elina Jerschow, the author of the research, dispels that myth. She tells CNN, “Adult allergies to foods are on the rise. That certainly includes shellfish and fish allergies, but also peanuts.” While she stresses the exact cause is unclear, she acknowledges a visible connection between new food allergies and dichlorophenols.

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Photo credit: Thinkstock

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Jink H.

10:28AM PDT on Apr 17, 2013

FYI most simple water filters do not filter out chlorine. For our refrigerator we use the water filter that it calls for along with an external filter to remove chlorine etc. Having the additional filter extends the life of the built in filter.

April 17
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Angie V.

1:07AM PDT on Mar 19, 2013

March 19
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Interesting.

Amber B.

9:17AM PST on Dec 29, 2012

don't doubt it one bit.

December 29
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Alicia G.

11:48AM PST on Dec 27, 2012

December 27
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Klaus P.

8:07AM PST on Dec 19, 2012

Now, this is a frightening and complex situation. Our water is claimed to be fine, sure some chemicals are added to make it safer. Now we are made to believe that we are drinking poison. Is this instigated by Coke & Pepsi??
I continue drinking water from the tap, I will not pay rediculous prices for plastic bottled tap water that leach chemicals, which at some tests are worse than real tap water.

December 19
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Doug G.

3:10PM PST on Dec 16, 2012

There are other things in the water that could be creating problems as well. Floride, organophosphates and even human hormones that haven't been filtered out are present and could contribute to multitudes of other issues if not allergies as well. Then there is the question about whether GMO is contributing to health problems. One thing is for certain, scientific advancements has brought many of these things to us through water, food, air, etc. but science failed to understand the effects of dabbling with these vital resources BEFORE they unleashed them into the general environment, meaning the real story won't be known for years to come. Ain't that great!