Beryllium

Take a look at the contaminant Beryllium.

Beryllium is a metal that is found in soil, rocks, coal and oil.

Beryllium is used in multiple ways....some examples
are:

Air bags
Auto ignition
Power steering systems
FM radios
Cell phone (electronic connectors)
Batteries (contacts)
High-definition cable television
Underwater fiberoptic cable systems.
Fire extinguishers
Sprinkler heads
Applications in pacemakers,
Lasers used to analyze blood
X-ray imaging equipment
Military weapons guidance and radar navigation systems
Helicopters, fighter aircraft and tanks,
Surveillance satellites
Aircraft landing gear components

You are probably using it now as you read this..
It is in personal computers to connect the various
microprocessors they contain.

What does this have to do with Water?

Beryllium and other toxins typically get into
the water supply as a result of industries dumping
contaminants directly into streams, rivers and lakes,
pumping them into the air supply or burying them in
the ground. Then, rainwater eventually washes these
toxins into our water supply.



The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported
over 1 million pounds of beryllium and beryllium
compounds were disposed of in the environment.

According to the EPA report, these states released
the highest levels of beryllium into the environment:

Idaho
Indiana
Alabama
West Virginia
Ohio
Georgia
Texas
Utah
Michigan
New Mexico

So, how can Beryllium affect you?

Beryllium is a known carcinogen.

In addition it is a suspected cardiovascular, bastronintestinal,
kidney, respiratory, skin, and liver toxicant.

Simply put...Beryllium is bad for you.

How Does Beryllium in the Water Supply Enter Your Body?

It's believed beryllium will not enter your body from
skin contact, unless your skin is scraped or cut,
in which case beryllium can enter the wound.

But...

When you ingest water containing beryllium it can pass
from your stomach and intestines into the bloodstream.

From there, it's carried by the blood into the kidneys.
Beryllium leaves the kidneys through the urine. Some
beryllium can also be carried by the blood to the liver
and bones where it may remain for long periods of time.

Protect Yourself and Your Family

Don't assume that you can judge your water's purity by
the way it looks, tastes or smells. Be sure what you
are drinking...and what is in it. Even your local water
supply may contain beryllium...though you may not even
be notified because it is considered within the "safe limits"
as set by the EPA.