Is Your Shower Killing You? Hidden Dangers in Tap Water Explained
Still Not Jack
[{'start': '0.833', 'end': '4.833', 'text': 'What if the place you go to get clean\nis actually'}, {'start': '6.100', 'end': '9.100', 'text': 'exposing you\nto a hidden cocktail of contaminants?'}, {'start': '9.500', 'end': '12.333', 'text': 'Forget the soap scum and the mildew\nyou scrub away.'}, {'start': '12.333', 'end': '13.600', 'text': "It's not the drain gunk."}, {'start': '13.600', 'end': '16.000', 'text': "And no, it's definitely not him."}, {'start': '16.000', 'end': '17.933', 'text': "The real threat isn't on the surface."}, {'start': '17.933', 'end': '20.966', 'text': "It's invisible, flowing\nright out of your showerhead."}, {'start': '21.500', 'end': '22.833', 'text': "It's not all bad news."}, {'start': '22.833', 'end': '24.433', 'text': "I'm going to give practical steps"}, {'start': '24.433', 'end': '27.433', 'text': 'to protect yourself\nand how you can do it on the cheap.'}, {'start': '27.766', 'end': '29.900', 'text': 'your town. Cleans the water. Sure.'}, {'start': '29.900', 'end': '32.166', 'text': 'They test for a list\nof regulated contaminants.'}, {'start': '32.166', 'end': '33.200', 'text': "But here's the catch."}, {'start': '33.200', 'end': '35.233', 'text': "That list doesn't cover everything."}, {'start': '35.233', 'end': '38.833', 'text': 'And crucially, a lot can happen after\nthe water leaves the treatment plant.'}, {'start': '39.366', 'end': '42.533', 'text': 'Miles of pipes, including the plumbing\ninside your own home.'}, {'start': '42.933', 'end': '47.466', 'text': 'Your premise, plumbing can become breeding\ngrounds inside these pipes,'}, {'start': '47.466', 'end': '51.033', 'text': 'especially in warmer spots\nor areas with low disinfectant levels.'}, {'start': '51.500', 'end': '54.500', 'text': 'A slimy layer called biofilm forms.'}, {'start': '54.533', 'end': '57.766', 'text': "It's like a shield\nand a buffet for certain bacteria."}, {'start': '58.033', 'end': '61.266', 'text': 'These are called opportunistic\npremises plumbing pathogens.'}, {'start': '61.400', 'end': '65.600', 'text': 'OP is Think Legionella,\nwhich causes Legionnaires disease'}, {'start': '66.100', 'end': '69.100', 'text': 'or the really hard to kill Pseudomonas\naeruginosa.'}, {'start': '69.333', 'end': '70.233', 'text': 'Non tuberculosis.'}, {'start': '70.233', 'end': '72.366', 'text': 'Mycobacteria. Anybody?'}, {'start': '72.366', 'end': '74.900', 'text': "Studies show these aren't rare exceptions."}, {'start': '74.900', 'end': '77.900', 'text': "They're commonly found thriving inside\nshowerheads,"}, {'start': '77.933', 'end': '81.200', 'text': 'sometimes at levels hundreds of times\nhigher than the incoming water.'}, {'start': '81.700', 'end': '84.700', 'text': 'So how do they get from the pipe to you?'}, {'start': '85.033', 'end': '86.766', 'text': 'Aerosolization.'}, {'start': '86.766', 'end': '89.966', 'text': "Your showerhead doesn't just spray water,\nit creates a fine mist."}, {'start': '90.166', 'end': '93.066', 'text': 'Tiny droplets of light enough\nto hang out in the air.'}, {'start': '93.066', 'end': '96.500', 'text': 'And these bacteria hitch a ride on steam\nstraight into your lungs.'}, {'start': '96.833', 'end': '100.533', 'text': 'Particles small enough to carry bacteria\nthat can travel deep into your lungs.'}, {'start': '100.533', 'end': '102.033', 'text': 'When you inhale that steam.'}, {'start': '102.033', 'end': '104.833', 'text': 'Research even suggests that the concentration of these aerosols'}, {'start': '104.833', 'end': '109.000', 'text': 'peaks in the first couple of minutes after you turn on the shower.'}, {'start': '109.166', 'end': '110.766', 'text': '...right when you step in.'}, {'start': '111.200', 'end': '114.200', 'text': '...or when the first person to take a shower\nthat day steps in.'}, {'start': '114.500', 'end': '119.133', 'text': "But inhalation isn't the only route; that\nlovely hot water opens your skin's pores."}, {'start': '119.133', 'end': '122.200', 'text': "It's why people soak in Epsom salts\nor fancy spa baths."}, {'start': '122.833', 'end': '124.800', 'text': "Your skin absorbs what's in the water."}, {'start': '124.800', 'end': '125.966', 'text': "Great if it's beneficial."}, {'start': '125.966', 'end': '129.400', 'text': 'Minerals not so great\nif your water contains other guests.'}, {'start': '130.300', 'end': '133.166', 'text': 'things like disinfection byproducts,\nthe chemicals'}, {'start': '133.166', 'end': '137.733', 'text': 'that are formed when disinfectants react\nwith organic matter, volatile organic'}, {'start': '137.733', 'end': '143.300', 'text': 'compounds, VOCs and pharmaceuticals,\npesticides, microplastics.'}, {'start': '143.300', 'end': '146.800', 'text': 'You know, the tiny plastic particles\nthat are now found in the tap'}, {'start': '146.800', 'end': '148.633', 'text': 'water worldwide.'}, {'start': '148.633', 'end': '152.000', 'text': "So when you shower, you're not just washing with this water, you're absorbing it."}, {'start': '152.966', 'end': '155.266', 'text': "This isn't just abstract science for me."}, {'start': '155.266', 'end': '157.133', 'text': 'My wife has cystic fibrosis.'}, {'start': '157.133', 'end': '161.266', 'text': 'CF affects lung defenses, making\ninfections like this a major concern.'}, {'start': '161.833', 'end': '165.033', 'text': 'Recently,\nshe contracted a Pseudomonas infection.'}, {'start': '165.366', 'end': '168.366', 'text': 'Now, can I prove it\ncame from her shower? No.'}, {'start': '168.433', 'end': '170.933', 'text': 'But one study researchers did.'}, {'start': '170.933', 'end': '174.433', 'text': 'They did genetic sequencing on patients\nwith new Pseudomonas infections'}, {'start': '174.433', 'end': '177.566', 'text': 'and found the exact same strains\nin their shower environment,'}, {'start': '177.566', 'end': '181.100', 'text': 'which strongly links\nthe plumbing to the infection.'}, {'start': '181.833', 'end': '185.266', 'text': 'Knowing that Pseudomonas is a common\nwaterborne bug that thrives in plumbing'}, {'start': '185.500', 'end': '188.500', 'text': 'and that it can be aerosolized\nright where you try to get clean.'}, {'start': '188.966', 'end': '190.166', 'text': "That's a little terrifying."}, {'start': '190.166', 'end': '192.700', 'text': "And it's what sent me down this rabbit\nhole."}, {'start': '192.700', 'end': '194.900', 'text': 'Okay, so what can we actually do about it?'}, {'start': '194.900', 'end': '196.933', 'text': 'Thankfully, we have options.'}, {'start': '196.933', 'end': '200.066', 'text': 'the easiest first step is a showerhead\nfilter.'}, {'start': '200.700', 'end': '204.233', 'text': 'It goes on right before your showerhead\nand plugs right on the pipe.'}, {'start': '204.266', 'end': '205.500', 'text': 'Pretty easy to install.'}, {'start': '205.500', 'end': '209.000', 'text': 'Most of them use activated\ncarbon or KDF media.'}, {'start': '209.600', 'end': '212.033', 'text': 'These are great at removing\nchlorine and chloramine,'}, {'start': '212.033', 'end': '215.933', 'text': 'which helps your skin and hair and reduces\nsome disinfection byproducts.'}, {'start': '216.233', 'end': '220.100', 'text': 'But you have to have a specialized one\nwith fine membranes for bacteria.'}, {'start': '220.166', 'end': '223.233', 'text': "Most of the standard ones\ndon't significantly remove pathogens."}, {'start': '223.233', 'end': '225.666', 'text': 'Heavy metals, microplastics,\nany of that stuff.'}, {'start': '225.666', 'end': '228.466', 'text': "It's a good start, but you need more."}, {'start': '228.466', 'end': '231.600', 'text': 'The next level up is a whole house\ncarbon and sediment filter.'}, {'start': '231.966', 'end': '235.500', 'text': 'This treats all the water entering\nyour home, so all of your on premise'}, {'start': '235.500', 'end': '240.933', 'text': 'plumbing catching sediment, rust, chlorine\nreducing VOCs, pesticides at every tap.'}, {'start': '241.400', 'end': '244.766', 'text': "It's not typically designed for bacteria\nor dissolved contaminants,"}, {'start': '245.033', 'end': '249.433', 'text': 'but if you reduce what the bacteria feeds\non, you reduce the bacteria.'}, {'start': '249.966', 'end': '252.766', 'text': 'The powerhouse filter,\nthough, is reverse osmosis.'}, {'start': '252.766', 'end': '256.166', 'text': 'You usually see that installed\nunder the sink for drinking water.'}, {'start': '256.166', 'end': '258.433', 'text': 'But whole health systems do exist.'}, {'start': '258.433', 'end': '262.766', 'text': 'Reverse osmosis uses the fine membrane\nto strip out almost everything bacteria,'}, {'start': '262.766', 'end': '266.600', 'text': 'viruses, chemicals, PFAs,\nheavy metals, microplastics,'}, {'start': '266.600', 'end': '270.066', 'text': 'dissolved solids, healthy minerals,\neverything.'}, {'start': '270.400', 'end': '273.766', 'text': "It's incredibly effective,\nbut it's more complex, more costly,"}, {'start': '273.766', 'end': '277.666', 'text': 'and usually requires adding minerals back,\nnot just for taste but for health.'}, {'start': '278.266', 'end': '279.633', 'text': 'So now I know what you might be thinking.'}, {'start': '279.633', 'end': '283.466', 'text': 'Whole health system, reverse osmosis\nsounds expensive and it can be,'}, {'start': '283.533', 'end': '286.533', 'text': 'but depending on your situation,\nthere might be help'}, {'start': '286.800', 'end': '290.600', 'text': 'if contaminated water poses a documented\nhealth risk, especially for someone'}, {'start': '290.600', 'end': '293.800', 'text': 'with a compromised immune system\nor specific medical conditions.'}, {'start': '293.866', 'end': '296.966', 'text': 'Some insurance plans or Medicaid waivers\noffer coverage'}, {'start': '296.966', 'end': '298.500', 'text': 'with the right documentation.'}, {'start': '298.500', 'end': '302.100', 'text': 'Health savings accounts, HSAs, or flexible\nspending accounts.'}, {'start': '302.333', 'end': '307.100', 'text': 'Fsas can often be used If a doctor\nprovides a letter of medical necessity.'}, {'start': '307.266', 'end': '310.166', 'text': "I've put links to resources\nand potential assistance programs"}, {'start': '310.166', 'end': '312.200', 'text': 'that I found in the description below.'}, {'start': '312.200', 'end': '313.966', 'text': 'Definitely check those out.'}, {'start': '313.966', 'end': '317.233', 'text': "I'm not trying to scare you\nout of showering, but knowledge is power"}, {'start': '317.466', 'end': '318.866', 'text': 'we trust.'}, {'start': '318.866', 'end': '324.266', 'text': 'I trusted that the water coming into\nour taps is safe, but in reality,'}, {'start': '324.300', 'end': '326.433', 'text': 'especially concerning\nwhat happens inside our own'}, {'start': '326.433', 'end': '329.700', 'text': 'homes, plumbing, and the things\nin municipal supplies that regulations'}, {'start': '329.700', 'end': '332.700', 'text': "don't cover yet as more complicated."}, {'start': '332.800', 'end': '336.333', 'text': "So if you or someone you love\nhas health issues, or if you're just tired"}, {'start': '336.333', 'end': '339.333', 'text': "of wondering what's really in your water\nevery time you turn on the faucet,"}, {'start': '339.600', 'end': '341.266', 'text': "maybe it's time to take control."}, {'start': '341.266', 'end': '343.600', 'text': "Filtering your water isn't paranoia."}, {'start': '343.600', 'end': '346.566', 'text': "It's a practical step\ntoward having peace of mind."}, {'start': '346.566', 'end': '347.500', 'text': 'What do you think?'}, {'start': '347.500', 'end': '349.900', 'text': 'Have you ever tested your water\nor thought about filters?'}, {'start': '349.900', 'end': '352.900', 'text': 'Let me know your experiences or questions\nin the comments below.'}, {'start': '352.933', 'end': '354.100', 'text': "And don't forget to subscribe"}, {'start': '354.100', 'end': '357.800', 'text': 'for more deep dives into science, health\nand engineering to improve your life.'}, {'start': '358.100', 'end': '358.833', 'text': 'Thanks for watching!'}]