The Ojai Post

Thanks Suza.

Kudos to the Global Resource Alliance for their life-saving work around the world.

Of course, government-controlled tap water in the U.S. has its own dangers.

Drinking chlorinated tap water increases the risk of contracting colon cancer, rectal cancer, and bladder cancer, as well as cancers of the kidney, stomach, brain, and pancreas. (These investigations include case-control and cohort studies in addition to ecologic studies.)

Drinking is only one route of exposure to tap water poisons. Sandra Steingraber writes in Living Downstream:

"Exposure to waterborne carcinogens is more commonplace than many people realize. In the same way that intake of airborne pollution involves the food we eat as well as the air we breathe, intake of contaminants carried by tap water involves breathing and skin absorption as well as drinking. These alternative routes are especially important for the class of synthetic contaminants called volatile organics--carbon-based compounds that vaporize more readily than water. . . . The simple, relaxing act of taking a bath turns out to be a significant route of exposure to volatile organics. In a 1996 study, the exhaled breath of people who had recently showered contained elevated levels of volatile organic compounds. In fact, a ten-minute shower or a thirty-minute bath contributed a greater internal dose of these volatile compounds than drinking half a gallon of tap water. Showering in an enclosed stall appears to contribute the greatest dose, probably because of the inhalation of steam."

Fluoride in tap water is linked with fluorosis, an irreversible condition consisting of discoloration and mottling of dental enamel. Fluoride makes enamel more porous and bones brittle. Fluoride decreases collagen elasticity, causing muscles, tendons, and ligaments to be excessively mineralized, leading to arthritic-like conditions. (See Fluoride: The Aging Factor, by John Yiamouyiannis.) Fluoride also decreases thyroid function. Fluroide in drinking water is also conclusively linked with miscarriage.

Notice that fluoride toothpaste containers say something like: "If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional help or contact a poison control center immediately."

Of course, the CDC (Center for Disease Creation) loves fluoride in drinking water (and in toothpaste) (and in infant formula):

"Some consumers use bottled water as a beverage for various reasons, including as a convenient means of hydration during their activities or as a taste preference. Besides having a cost that is between one-to-five thousand times more expensive than tap water, bottled water may not have a sufficient amount of fluoride, which is important for good oral health. . . . Your oral health--specifically how many cavities you have--depends on many factors, only one of which is how much fluoride you get in the form of toothpaste, mouthwash, water, food, and applications by dental professionals (other factors include how often and how well you brush and floss, what you eat, and whether you get good dental care). If you mainly drink bottled water with no or low fluoride and you are not getting enough fluoride from other sources, you may get more cavities than you would if fluoridated tap water were your main water source. . . . Can I use fluoridated water for preparing infant formula? Yes, you can use fluoridated water for preparing infant formula."
http://www.cdc.gov/FLUORIDATION/fact_sheets/bottled_water.htm

"Over 2,000 Professionals Call for an End to Fluoridation of Drinking Water"
2,535 Signers to Professionals' Statement as of June 17, 2009
http://www.fluoridealert.org/professionals.statement.html

http://www.fluoridealert.org/statement.august.2007.html

More information on tap water:

http://www.spontaneouscreation.org/SC/NWNM2006/TapWaterIsPoisonous.htm
http://www.spontaneouscreation.org/SC/NWNM2006/LetThemDrinkTapWater.htm

Speaking of contaminants in drinking water, does anyone know why gasoline-powered boats are allowed on Lake Casitas?

In health,

Jock Doubleday
Director
Natural Woman, Natural Man, Inc.
A California 501(c)3 Nonprofit Corporation
http://spontaneouscreation.org
director@spontaneouscreation.org

thank you for posting this, Suza! Some may know that Lyn and Tara of GRA were the Ojai Peace Coalition's 2008 recipients of the local, exclusive Noble Peace Prize for their work both locally and abroad to foster conditions of health and security.
Watch for them in this year's Independence Day parade, and be thinking of who you'll nominate for the 2009 award!