Research Points to Health Risks From Water-Saving Shower Heads

Environmental researchers investigating indoor air pollution discovered that water-saving shower nozzles could increase the risk of lung trouble, especially for those with existing breathing problems such as asthma.

Researchers from the University of Cincinnati and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said the shower heads do a good job of reducing water consumption, but their higher-velocity spray creates smaller water droplets that can be inhaled more easily.

The more vigorous spray can stir up the volatile organic compounds in chlorinated water, mildew spores and contamination from microbes growing in water lines and the shower nozzle itself.

The researchers are presenting their findings during this week’s the annual meeting of the American Assn. for Aerosol Research in Orlando, Fla.