The most Toxic Chemical found in California Drinking Water and Why?
25 years ago, the state of California determined that 1,2,3 Trichloropropane (TCP) in California drinking
water causes cancer – and did nothing about it. Now, 25 years later, and probably after people have died from it…finally, the state has decided to regulate 1,2,3 TCP. The maximum safe level is going to be set at 5 parts per trillion. The maximum safe level is set that low because 1,2,3 TCP is a potent carcinogen. It causes cancer, even in tiny amounts. If you live in California, it’ may be in your water supply, right now.
State water officials do not have a plan for removing 1,2,3 TCP from drinking water supplies, yet
The state will start testing all water systems in January for 1,2,3 TCP. Even without that testing, it’s already known that water supplies in some of California’s most populous counties are affected. 1,2,3 TCP has been found in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Francisco counties, and throughout the Central Valley. It has been found at levels well above the 7 parts per trillion set by the state. Some areas have as much as 150 parts per trillion TCP 1,2,3 in their water supplies. At that level, your chances of getting cancer are roughly one in 6,000.
TCP 1,2,3 can be removed from water with carbon filtration. The problem is that carbon filtration at the water treatment plant level is expensive, and the affected counties may not have the money to upgrade their drinking water treatment plants.
Drinking water pollution by dilution: How Dow and Shell poisoned drinking water intentionally
Back in the 1930’s Shell had a problem: They were generating 1,2,3 TCP and had no way to safely dispose of it. Shell came up with a diabolical idea: Add TCP 1,2,3 to a fumigant used to kill nematodes (worms) and sell it to farmers. Dow followed suit, and both companies never listed 1,2,3 TCP on their product’s labels. Dow’s own scientists admit that TCP 1,2,3 serves no function in the fumigant they sold. Dow itself describes TCP 1,2,3 as a “garbage” additive in their fumigant product.
The plan worked: California Central Valley farmers spread the fumigant with 1,2,3 TCP in it on their fields for decades. Because of this, the Central Valley has some of the highest concentrations of 1,2,3 TCP found in the state. More than 3 dozen lawsuits have been filed against Dow and Shell over 1,2,3 TCP contamination. They’ve paid to clean up the contamination in a few cases, but have never admitted wrongdoing. Many of the three dozen lawsuits are ongoing.
Whole home filtration best for TCP 1,2,3 removal
TCP 1,2,3 can be absorbed through the skin, it can also be inhaled as a vapor. Because of that, the best defense against TCP 1,2,3 is whole home filtration. Carbon filtration will work, but it’s best to ensure that you get filtration specifically designed to remove VOC’s. Life’s Dolphin Whole Home filtration system is designed specifically to address VOC’s and many other common pollutants in water. The Dolphin system provides protection against a wider range of contaminants than conventional home filtration systems. If you live anywhere in California, wide spectrum filtration is your safest bet: TCP 1,2,3 isn’t the only dangerous and unmonitored toxin found in your water.
Life Ionizers recommends the dual filter Dolphin system. The first filter is for reducing Volatile Organic Compounds like the PAH’s found in the study. The second filter reduces fluoride and other toxic heavy metals. This two filter system provides the utmost in protection against the widest range of toxins.