If you were told something was or even could be harmful for your family, wouldn’t you do your best to eliminate the possibility of its intake? Most people would. According to a new study by a team of researchers, led by Maryse Bouchard, adjunct professor at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Health, Environment and Society (CINBIOSE) of the Université du Québec à Montréal, and Donna Mergler, professor emerita in the Department of Biological Sciences, suggests that manganese in drinking water may be having adverse effects on the intellectual abilities of children. Manganese is a metallic element naturally occurring in the ground and soil. This is the first study to focus on the potential risks of exposure to manganese in children’s drinking water in North America.
One researcher states, “we found significant deficits in the intelligence quotient (IQ) of children exposed to higher concentration of manganese in drinking water. Yet, manganese concentrations were well below current guidelines.” What does this mean? It means that although the amount of the manganese was safe according to regulations, the study may prove that it was actually harmful nonetheless. How can you keep your family safe? Water filtration systems, while not implemented by all local water municipalities, can eliminate manganese and many other harmful toxins and substances to keep your family safe. Safe drinking water is a life necessity and we need to fall on the safe side of this study. Water filters, water softeners, drinking water systems, and home water coolers are effective ways to keep the costs down, and your children’s intellectual abilities up.
