When LeBron starts his game day around 9 a.m., he grabs a gallon jug filled with water and aims to finish it before he gets on the bus to head to the arena. Then he drinks water, sports drinks and recovery drinks during and after the game. "It's not always easy to drink it all," he says. "But it helps."
We're glad to say, according to a new countrywide study of 26 homes and offices in 11 states, whether you (or LeBron) are getting your water from private wells, public utilities or water coolers, most sources generally meet health and safety standards. But, say researchers in a study published in Environmental Science & Technology, they did find lead (below current standards) in 23 of the samples. (The Environmental Protection Agency says the goal is zero lead.) They also found pharmaceuticals, pesticides and chlorination residue.
The EPA advises you to make sure your water doesn't contain lead, manganese or iron from metal pipes in your home; radon from soil; pesticides; nitrate; coliform bacteria from runoff of nearby agricultural businesses; or who-knows-what from a nearby gas station, mining, drilling or manufacturing facility, a junkyard or dry cleaning operation.
So, have your water tested, even if you're on a city water system. According to the EPA, county health departments often will help you test. If not, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or visit www.epa.gov/safewater/labs. Check out the Environmental Working Group's tap water database and guide to home filtration systems at www.ewg.org/tapwater.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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