The product claims range from the miraculous to the ridiculous. Save the planet, cure diabetes, live longer, defy the laws of chemistry, rewrite the medical books…all with the latest water improvement device. How can the average person tell the difference between the truth and the B.S.?
A resource I use to discern water fact from water pseudoscience is the aquascience link on Steven Lower’s website, www.chem1.com . In an email exchange , Mr. Lower gave me his opinion on why so many fall prey to misleading advertising and why these water scams perpetuate-
“I suspect that much of the appeal of pseudoscience and quackery is that they provide simplistic answers that give scientifically-naïve people the illusion of control and understanding of what they perceive as an impossibly complex and overwhelming world. The low standard of North American science education and the “powerful strain of intertwined ignorance, anti-rationalism and anti-intellectualism” that Susan Jacoby describes in her book “The Age of American Unreason” can only encourage the aggressive marketing of commercial and intellectual snake oils of all kinds. Especially egregious are those who prey on individuals who are dealing with the emotional trauma of a life-threatening disease.
In contrast to the very weak evidence for the efficacy of most “alternative” remedies, there is abundant documented evidence for the benefits of getting plenty of exercise, a healthy diet, freedom from stress, and engagement in fulfilling creative, social or spiritual activities. Unfortunately, many commercial interests would like people to believe that it’s easier to simply take some magical nostrum!” – Steven Lower, 2009
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you have any questions about whether a water product is for real, check out Mr. Lower’s website or go to www.wqa.org. Or you can pick up the phone and call me. I can’t promise that my products will make you will live longer but I can promise you good-tasting, clean water.
www.chem1.com www.wqa.org www.americanpurewater.com
