Question: Hello:

I have a neurological disorder (CIDP) that I was recently diagnosed & I am wondering if I should be concerned about continued dermatological exposure to high chloride levels.

We have had some water issues on a private well and have therefore tested it. We do not show any heavy metals (tested blood & water) or copper appearing, but the chloride levels were 2x the DEQ cap level. We tested outside tap as well (untreated with water softener).

Is this a concern for taking showers in this water? We believe these high levels are coming from the road salt. Our well is in the front of our house, on a major road, and is not a deep well. Over time, the road has been built up and has expanded. We see run off of the salt into our yard. We are also by a busy intersection in a northeast state where the salt is put on heavily (especially last few winters).

We have been drinking bottled water and added a reverse osmosis system for our kitchen sink. We have not installed an REO house system. We are contemplating tapping into city water instead and started using our gym for bathing. I have been very dry as I've had more exposure to it being ill, but my husband has been going to the gym for a while for bathing. He took a shower at home and had a reaction.

When you read our state publications, road salt is not meant to be a huge flag unless hypertension (high sodium) concerns and also to avoiding corrosion of old piping (copper in plumbing). You don't see much concern on it getting into your skin. However, road-salt is often treated with anti-caking agents such as ferocyanide which I read is supposedly ok for consumption? Reading MSDS sheets and seeing what salt can do (taking absorption from body, shriveling up leather), this doesn't seem like its safe at high levels for any kind of long-term exposure (dermatological or ingestion). NJ replaced hundreds of wells over period of time due to road-salt contamination.

Please let me know your opinion on bathing in water with this possible contamination (concerns).