Iron is a vital part of the earth's crust and is also present in the human body. Many people in the US and around the world suffer from a deficiency of iron. Iron deficiency can lead to many problems that can hinder the growth of a human being.
Many fruits and other foods are rich in iron. And another thing that contains iron is the water we drink. But an excessive amount of any mineral is just as bad as its deficiency. And that is the case with iron as well.
While it is good in a limited amount, it can lead to serious issues if consumed excessively. In this article, we will be covering the issues that can arise because of the excessive amount of iron in water and how you can solve this problem. So without further ado, let's begin.
Harmful Effects of Excessive Iron in Drinking Water
One of the most harmful effects that excessive iron can lead to is Iron Overload. It is a condition that can lead to more issues. It affects many of the vital organs of your body and can cause serious damage to them.
Here are some of the issues and health problems that people face if there is a high level of iron in their drinking water:
Skin issues
The first body part that suffers the impact is the skin. The presence of high levels of iron in water can lead to serious skin-related issues. The most common ones are infections and wrinkles.
Apart from these, water with an excessive quantity of iron does not properly wash off the residue soap. As a result, it causes the skin pores to clog with oil building up in the skin cells. In addition to this, it can cause issues like acne or eczema as well. All of this is due to a high level of iron in your water.
Health Issues
Just as low levels of iron can cause problems in the human body, so can high iron levels. With a high level of iron in your body, you can suffer from iron overload. It is a serious condition that can affect multiple parts of your body.
In some instances, it can lead to worse scenarios such as organ failure. Moreover, it can also be the root cause of many stomach problems and diabetes. In addition to these, it can do damage to your digestive and cardiovascular systems.
Plumbing Issues
Apart from your health, excessive iron in the water supply can also wreak havoc on your plumbing system and your appliances. Because of excessive iron, you might encounter issues such as clogging.
Due to the build-up by the excessive iron, it leaves behind a residue. As a result, your drainage and entire plumbing system might clog and would need repairs. You might also encounter the issues of rusting on your sinks or lower water pressure in your taps.
Both of these problems are mainly due to high amounts of iron in your water level. Plumbing issues can become a big burden on homeowners. If you don't detect them soon enough, you might have to deal with heavy repair charges.
Not only does it affect your appliances and your plumbing system, but it also damages your clothes and dishes. If you wash your dishes with this water, you might notice a dark stain on your plates. Also, your clothes will lose color, and the quality of the fabric will be affected.
Taste Issues
Another issue that you will encounter due to excessive iron in water is the change in the water's taste. When there is a high level of iron in water, it has a much more metallic taste. Overall, it will ruin the taste of your meals as well if you use it in cooking.
How to Remove Excessive Iron from Your Drinking Water?
Since we now know the adverse effects excessive iron in the water can do, let's discuss the ways to remove it. The best way to do so is by finding the best filtration system for your house.
But before you move on to that step, you must check the iron levels in the water. There are many kits available that you can easily find to check. And if you want, you can consult a professional to help you with this process.
This way, you will also be able to identify all the harmful components in your water. It is also important to find the right filtration system for your home.
A filtration system has a ton of benefits to offer. Here are some of the options that you can choose from.
Water Softeners
One of the best whole-house water filters that can help you resolve excessive iron issues is the water softeners. They are good for removing ferrous iron from drinking water. Since water softeners help to detect hard water elements, you can also use them to eliminate ferrous iron.
Not only that, but water softeners can also remove other harmful elements from your drinking water. By choosing the right type of water softener, you can remove the excessive ferric and ferrous iron from your water supply.
Ion Exchange
Another great filtration system that you can use to reduce the excessive level of heavy metals is Ion-exchange. It is a great system that can help you in reducing the high levels of iron and other metals such as magnesium and calcium from the water.
Apart from these two, you can also choose other water system filters for your home as per your budget and your requirements.
Bottom Line
We hope you now understand the adverse effects of having excessive iron in your water supply. Not only does it damage your house but your health as well. Your food and meals will taste more metallic, your plumbing system will see issues, and more importantly, your health will deteriorate.
So the best way to ensure this does not happen is by choosing the right filtration system for your house. With a little effort and money spent, you and your family can have safe and pure water.
