The Unseen World of Your Shower Head
Shower heads are an almost ideal habitat for microbes. The conditions of dampness, warmth, and darkness—along with trace nutrients and organisms—encourage microbes to form resilient biofilms that can withstand standard sterilization methods and resist antimicrobial treatments.Researchers discovered a specific bacterium called Mycobacterium avium, a non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM). Its concentration in some shower heads was 100 times that of the regular water supply. It appeared in 20 percent of the tested samples, and the detected rate was 78 percent with more advanced testing methods.
Joseph O. Falkinham III, a leading microbiology professor at Virginia Tech, told The Epoch Times that the groups most vulnerable to NTM disease are smokers, people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, people with lung damage from particulates, and people with weakened immune systems, including HIV patients. Notably, tall, slender, older females also face increased risk, he said.
The symptoms associated with NTM infections can be serious. Chronic or recurring coughs, night sweats, weight loss, and persistent energy loss are just some of the indicators.
Showers release water droplets and steam that may carry NTM into the air. Although these bacteria commonly exist in environments such as soil, their effects can become more harmful when they’re aerosolized by the shower.
From Tap to Tub—The Water Quality Conundrum
Many prioritize filtering drinking water but give little thought to the water from our shower heads. Yet research suggests that certain chemicals in our water can enter our bloodstream more swiftly through inhalation and skin absorption during showers than from drinking directly.Chlorine is used as a trusted tool to purify our water, targeting harmful bacteria and ensuring that water is safe to consume. But there’s a flip side to chlorine once it reaches our homes.
When heated, chlorine can transform and vaporize into a form inhaled while showering. This direct lung exposure could have implications different from those of drinking the same water.
Chloramines, created from the mixture of chlorine and ammonia, are a disinfectant used in many city water treatments. They linger longer than their chlorine-only counterparts and help reduce harmful byproducts.
Dr. William Davis, a renowned cardiologist and author, suggested that the EPA recommendations may not be grounded in comprehensive research.
“Chloramine, unlike its counterpart chlorine, exhibits a stubborn resilience,” Dr. Davis said. “While chlorine can be eliminated through boiling, chloramine lingers, requiring as much as four days to dissipate.”
He said that exposure to chloramine during showers may be linked to some health ailments, from dermatological conditions to gastrointestinal disruptions, and that repeated contact can intensify respiratory problems such as lung irritation and bronchitis, leading to symptoms such as coughing and breathlessness.
Mold: The Unwanted Guest
Where water finds a haven, so does mold—especially in our bathrooms—the epicenters of water use. Those black speckles in the grout of our shower walls or the yellow-green discoloration of the shower curtain may indicate the presence of mold, which can release microscopic spores into the air.Mold spores, when inhaled, can pose health concerns, particularly for those with allergies, asthma, or compromised immune systems. Symptoms can range from nasal stuffiness and throat irritation to skin rashes and aggravated lung illnesses.
The INHALE Lab’s Pursuit
Inside a 250-square-foot lab at the University of Pittsburgh, nine shower heads operate daily, serving as a testing ground for understanding the microbes present in our showers. The central question: How do different design aspects influence the concentration of drinking water-associated pathogens in shower water and the aerosols it produces?Beyond Cleanliness: Prioritizing Health in Your Shower Routine
To keep your daily cleanse refreshing, follow these essential guidelines:Care For Shower Heads
- A monthly overnight soak of your shower head in white vinegar and water solution can help reduce bacterial buildup.
- Replace old shower heads every few years to minimize the risk of pathogen accumulation.
- Replace fine mist shower heads with ones that have larger holes, preferably greater than 1 millimeter in diameter.
- Opt for shower heads that are easy to dismantle and clean, reducing hidden nooks and crannies where microbes can thrive.
Disinfect Shower Heads
According to Mr. Falkinham, the best approach to cleaning and disinfecting a shower head includes:- Unscrew the shower head.
- Clean the inside as well as possible with a swab.
- Submerge the shower head in a bucket with a 1:10 solution of detergent (he recommends Dawn) and water for 10 minutes.
- Follow with submersion in a bucket with undiluted bleach for 30 minutes.
- Remove from bleach and rinse the shower head thoroughly before reattaching it.
Improve Water Quality
- Consider installing a water filter designed for showers. These filters can reduce the concentration of harmful chemicals and pathogens.
- If your water comes from a municipal source, familiarize yourself with the water treatment methods. This knowledge can guide you in choosing the right filter.
- Periodically test your shower water, whether you rely on a well or a municipal source.
- Consider cold showers, which can reduce the vaporization of VOCs.
Eliminate Mold
- Ensure proper ventilation in your bathroom to minimize mold growth. Use exhaust fans or open windows, especially after hot showers.
- Regularly clean tiles, grout, and other surfaces with a mold-killing solution.
- Check for and promptly repair any leaks. Persistent dampness is a magnet for mold proliferation.
- Use a squeegee or dry cloth to wipe dry your shower and shower curtain after showering.
- Use a shower curtain liner that can easily be replaced if it shows signs of mold.