How does Iron get into your water?
Iron occurs naturally in many soils, sediments and ground water. It can be found in many types of rocks.
Iron can be found in water in two forms. The soluble ferrous Iron or the insoluble ferric Iron. Water containing ferrous Iron is clear and colorless. When it is exposed to air the water turns cloudy causing a reddish brown precipitate of ferric iron to start appearing in the solution.
Iron is an essential trace element for maintenance of energy levels in your body's metabolism. It prevents Iron deficiency or Iron anemia.
Iron can be found in food such as:
- eggs
- lean red meat
- beans
- peas
- and many other legumes
The Health Implications of Iron
Water that is high in Iron may taste metallic. The water may be discolored and appear brownish. Oxidation of Iron or rust is brown. Water may even contain sediment.
Your local authority cautions that although Iron in drinking water is safe to ingest, The Iron sediments may contain trace impurities and harbor bacteria that can be harmful. Iron bacteria are naturally occurring organisms that can dissolve Iron and some other minerals. These bacteria form a brown slime that can build up in water pipes. Iron bacteria are most commonly problematic in wells, where water has not been chlorinated.
Iron is necessary for good health. The most well-known role that Iron plays in human nutrition is in the formation of the protein hemoglobin, which transports oxygen to all cells in your body. Iron is also used in cellular metabolism and is found in many of the body’s enzymes.
Low levels of Iron in your body can lead to Iron deficiency, anemia and fatigue and can make you more susceptible to infections. Some segments of the population are more at risk than others for iron deficiency. In particular all following people are at risk:
- women
- children
- the elderly
- non-Caucasians are more likely to be iron-deficient
It is possible that drinking water that is high in Iron may be beneficial in those cases as it can add small amounts of iron to your diet.
Adult men need to take in an average of 8 milligrams of Iron every day from food.
However, while drinking water that contains Iron may help mediate Iron deficiency symptoms. You should not depend solely on the iron in your drinking water as the source for most Iron in your diet.
Iron deficiency can enhance Lead absorption and toxicity in your body. Anyone with increased blood lead levels needs to be tested for Iron deficiency.
The ingestion of large quantities of Iron can damage blood vessels, cause bloody vomiting and stool, and damage the liver and kidneys, and even cause death.
However, because ingestion is regulated by your body, body tissues are generally not exposed to high-level concentrations.
