L‘waterfall it is no longer a certain and obvious resource. As recently reported by the CNRa percentage of Italians that fluctuates between 6% and 15% is now forced to live in contexts of Drought severe or extreme. There World Water Daywhich occurs on March 22, is therefore an opportunity to turn the spotlight on this vital resource.
The Italians, water and inflation
The project “Water in Our Hands” Of Finishin partnership with IPSOS And Future Food Institute. From this collaboration was born a study on behaviors, habits and awareness of Italians with respect to water. It emerged that, due to inflation, there is a increased attention on related costs to domestic consumption. Well the 62% of respondents is worried about costs of the water and holds them elevated. Nonetheless the Italians are confirmed among the most wasteful in Europewith 220 liters per day per capita against the 165 liters of the European average.
Water: virtuous behaviour
But what are the behaviors that the Italians put in place for try to reduce your impact on the water and contribute to its protection? The 68% declares to close the taps when not neededThe 71% Of only use the dishwasher with a full loadThe 53% undertakes to do shorter showersThe 60% prefer the shower to tub. All actions that guarantee a double benefit: on the one hand they contribute to protection of natural resources and on the other to careful control of expenses housekeepers.
Bottles: enemies or friends?
Between environmentally and wallet friendly there are also water bottles, the use of which has increased exponentially in recent years. But be careful: if not well maintained, they can become enemies of health. Several studies, in fact, indicate that all the containers who enter in contact with the environment and with our mouthin more than one out of two cases (58%), if not well maintained, they come contaminated with germswhich can be especially dangerous for frail, debilitated and immunosuppressed people.
The handbook for safe drinking
For drink safely from the water bottle was born, for some years already, “Let’s drink tap water in safety. Vademecum on the use, maintenance and hygiene of our water bottles”. The initiative was conceived and drafted by Doctor Luca LucentiniEnvironment and Health Department of theHigher Institute of Healthfrom the Professor Umberto MoscatoAssociate of General and Applied Hygiene at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of theCatholic University and Medical Director of the UOC of Hospital Medicine of the Agostino Gemelli IRCCS University Hospital FoundationAnd Dr. Alessandra DanielePhysician in specialist training in Occupational Medicine, of the Occupational Medicine section in the Department of Life Sciences and Public Health of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the Catholic University.
Water: beware of contamination
“If you don’t do proper management, periodic maintenance and cleaning/disinfection of the water bottle, the fungal contamination opportunists or seaweedwhich although they predominantly infect elderly and/or immunosuppressed subjectsco-circulating with other microorganisms and viruses, they can also infect apparently subjects young and healthy. Furthermore, contaminations, for example by Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Klebsiella pneumoniae or Norovirus, are not rare», explains Professor Moscato.
Plastic water bottle: how to clean it
To each his own water bottle: glass, plastic, aluminum or steel. There is something for all tastes. That in plastic it’s lightweight, durable and inexpensive, but, the experts recommend Gemelli Polyclinicif you choose this material you need to read the ed label avoid the presence of bisphenol a, a product now banned for consumer safety. Also, the plastic can disperse in the liquidespecially if worn, micro particles which constitute a potential danger to human health. Although many can go in the dishwasherit is not clear if and how much they absorb the detergent. Better perhaps lean towards a hand wash with a brush non abrasive. Another possibility is to fill it with water and bicarbonate to be left on all night.
Steel is fine, watch out for aluminum
“If you choose a bottle steelthere will be more advantages: it is resistant And does not retain odors and flavorsalso is more safe against the proliferation of molds and bacteria. For hygiene the dishwasher is fineunless the product label advises against it, but also the handwash with water and a drop of detergent or water and baking soda. If you opt for a water bottle in aluminiumthen you need to know that, if your strong point is the lightness joined to resistence. Aluminum can be toxic and the inside of the bottle must be covered with suitable material (ceramic). Furthermore, if the coating is not very smooth, its ripples lend themselves to nesting molds and bacteria. Is preferable avoid washing it in the dishwasher. Furthermore, they do not lend themselves well to fatty liquids, such as milk and oils, acidic and hot drinks», conclude the experts.
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