Chlorine: The Double-Edged Sword

Chlorine is an element with the atomic number 17.  It was named after the Greek word “khlorus,” which means greenish-yellow, as it appears in the photo in its gaseous form.  It has both toxic and disinfectant qualities.  For example, German soldiers first...

Dehydration and the Elderly

Unfortunately, not everyone ages as gracefully as the woman doing yoga in this picture!  It’s tough when age takes its toll on joints, muscles, organs and memory.  This year I saw my Mother summon the courage to face that inevitable decline, a woman full of life...

Is There Fukushima in Your Drinking Water?

That depends where you live.  If you lived in Tokyo back in March 2011, yes.  Radioactive cesium and iodine were detected in the tap water at 18 municipal water treatment facilities.  Tokyo residents were told not to feed the tap water to their infants, and you can...

Is Your Well Water Drugged?

After testing raw water from more than 20 wells, 6 ponds fed by underground springs and 2 public distribution systems on Cape Cod, Silent Spring  researchers found measurable levels of 18 chemicals including 9 pharmaceuticals, flame retardants, personal care products,...

Purifying Rainwater Down on the Farm: an interview

  Goldfish, bluegills, dead rabbits, woman’s nylons–what’s any of this have to do with drinking water?  To find out, read this fascinating story about rainwater and cisterns and how a resourceful community in West Virginia is harnessing this...