The Visible And Invisible Hazards Of Shower Hoses And Heads
Taking at least one shower a day is a normal occurrence for most people especially those living in hot and humid areas
. Showering is part and parcel of good personal hygiene since it helps in the removal of dust, dirt and dead skin cells off the head and body. Smelling fresh is just the icing on the cake.
Did you know, however, that taking showers can also be hazardous to your general health? Studies have shown that the hoses and heads in shower systems harbour visible and invisible organisms that have the capability to make an individual ill. In this article, we shall discuss these potential hazards and how to avoid them.
Slime Build-Up:
Slime is the sticky and slippery black gunk that accumulates inside the shower-head. Not only does it look gross but it is also hazardous in many ways.
First, it is the breeding ground for bugs linked to various diseases. One of these bugs is the Mycobacterium avium, which is found in one-third of all shower-heads and is linked to lung disorders.
Second, it protects the bugs that should have been killed by the chlorine in the treated water. As you take a shower and let the water fall on your face, you are not only inhaling microscopic bits of the slime but also colonies of germs. The thought is sufficient to send shivers down your spine, isn't it?
Yet another germ that thrives in the black slime of shower hoses and heads is the Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Although this bacterium rarely infects humans, it can cause pneumonia, blood stream infections and urinary tract infections in relatively healthy individuals. In individuals with compromised immune systems, it can cause latent pulmonary infections.
Unfortunately, the Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bacterium is highly resistant to broad-spectrum antibiotics and, thus, often difficult to kill. In 2006 alone, there were 1000 cases of infection of which 300 were fatal - and that's for the United Kingdom only.
An interesting and disturbing trivia from abroad: In 1976, one of the deadliest outbreaks of Legionnaire's disease in the United States was attributed to the bacteria found in shower-heads. We certainly do not want a repeat in the United Kingdom so it is important to start cleaning your shower hoses and heads at home.
Rust Build-Up:
Aside from the slime and bacteria build-up, home owners should also be aware of rust build-up in the shower heads and hoses. Over time, even stainless steel shower fixtures will deteriorate by developing rusty patches that will inevitably spread to other areas.
Rust itself has plenty of toxins and other undesirable materials. Each time that you go under the spray of a rusty shower head and hose, you are exposing your body in general and lungs in particular to the metal particulates. We all know how icky that sounds but just imagine the thought of inhaling metal and other harmful substances into your lungs.
So, what can you do to protect yourself from the slime, bacteria and rust build-up in shower hoses and heads? For one thing, you should regularly clean these shower fixtures using the appropriate cleaning materials. For another thing, you should just replace these shower fixtures at regular intervals. Stop thinking about the time, effort and money in doing these two activities - your health is priceless.
by: Lawrence White
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