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In case news about prescription drugs and other harmful chemicals in your tap water wasn't gross enough, how about a compound that could cause skin conditions, altered psychological states, or even (cue Trumpets of Doom) death? Oh, and it keeps mosquitoes away, too. Following reports from the AP and the Chicago Tribune that found drugs in the city's tap water like anti-seizure medications as well as chemicals like those that make Teflon and Scotchguard, the Sun-Times does some "me too" journalism and finds - just in time for spring! - trace amounts of DEET. DEET is a bug repellent that can cause all sorts of bad stuff with enough exposure, or if too much of it is ingested.
All these chemicals that have been found in the water have been in trace amounts, with the DEET measuring 8.3 parts per trillion, and no adverse health effects are expected from such a low exposure. However, in the wake of these stories, trust in municipal water sources could continue to erode. Plus, the tin-foil-hatted amongst us are wondering how much the city is going to start pulling in from that bottled water tax in the wake of these "holy crap tap water will kill you" stories. As a counterpoint, would there be anything you'd actually want in your tap water? [Ed note: fluoride?] If we could have a setting at our sink for "Hot - Cold - Caffeinated" (which the study also found at 7ppt) we might be willing to change our minds. Your trivia for today: DEET stands for N,N-Diethyl-meta-Toluamide. The more you know.
Photo by Charles Chan
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Now can we just put it into a spray bottle and never have to buy OFF again? ;)
Seriously, DEET is sold OTC in the OFF! that we all use the second we set foot outside the Chicagoland area. The OFF! Deep Woods is something like 90% DEET.
Another useless story. I trust the water. I drink it RIGHT OUT OF THE TAP, no glass even.
I trust the water. I drink it RIGHT OUT OF THE TAP, no glass even.
Yeah, but last week you were claiming you'd drink it straight out of the lake. When do I get to see that? And if you really want to impress me, you'll drink it right out of the river (I'll even bring the straw)...
That being said, I trust our tap water too, though I prefer it filtered through my refrigerator dispenser first...
Pinko:
I would do both actually. You bring the straw.
How much do I have to drink? I will drink half a cup of each.
I don't see what the big deal is. In the old days, you probably had to deal with horse turds in your water.
I like Chicagoist, but you guys n gals should be the last ones crying "me too journalism"!
Almost every post you guys do is 'Me Too'- at least the ST did a test and added some information to the discussion.
@Spav1- It is cool that you love to drink the water but do you have any experience in the water industry?
spav ,
whats a little diarrhea when you want to prove a point. Im just hoping all these meds in the water dont have a bad reaction with my evening refreshments.
Who has experience in "the water industry"?
Does that mean like, pool boy? Water delivery man?
All I know is that if I were on the Oregon Trail, I would be dead of cholera by now.
Since I have never gotten any disease or infection from swimming in any freshwater lake/stream/river (and as a downstater, I do this a lot), I am going to go ahead and say that I am immune, moreover, this is ridiculous to even discuss.
Nothing is safe anymore! I just heard that swallowing saliva can be fatal! Even if consumed in small amounts over many decades! What should I do???
Also if they need to go with the "parts per trillion" measurement to get a number greater than 1 for a substance that is easily available at Walgreens in a concentration of 238,000,000,000 parts per trillion I'm not to worried.
Spav1 believe it or not when you turn that tap it sends a signal to me and many other little water imps (or faeries) who do a spinny dance and whooooshy, out comes the water in a magical display of cleanliness and non-diseases-ness.
Yea it may seem unbelievable that a whole 'industry' has developed to 'purify and distribute' 'water', but it turns out most natural water sources have bad nymphs that live in them (oh no!!!) and us water imps and water faeries work together to destroy those nymphs with our magic and most of all our special dances.
Since you are such a hoss- I will also pay you $24 to drink a 24oz slug of untreated Chicago River Water as long as I can record the aftermath.
Um, that is like 3 cups. Make it the Lake and you have got a deal.
I'll still take you up on that 1/2 cup of river water. Lake water? Eh. I probably drink that much just getting knocked over by a good wave...
I just swallowed my gum.
did anyone see the city water guy backtrack on the testing issue on chicago tonight: the week in review?
(and before you ask, i was home sick, though not from our delicious drinking water.)