# Could Our Refridgerator Be Making Us Sick?

Category: Health and Wellness

## Post 1 by SunshineAndRain (I'm happily married, a mom of two and a fulltime college student.) on Tuesday, 25-Aug-2009 20:42:24

We moved in to thisapartment in June and have been ecstatic over qe fact that it came with a fridge that has an ice/water maker. For awhile, we've been noticing some strange things though. My son, who has a milk intolerance gets diarrhea when he gets too much milk. As time went on though, we've noticed his diarrhea getting worseso we cut out milk products altogether. Well, it still isn't going away and I've also noticed myself feeling lethargic and sick to my stomach. He and I drink out of the fridge more than my husband who doesn't have any weird symptoms. We've also noticed that no matter how often or how thorough you clean his sippy cup, it is perpetually grimy and sometimes it even stinks. We've completely replced his cup and the problem is still there. I seriously think theculprit is our fridge. My husband and I are clean and meticulous with our food-handling, and since he's at work andd doesn't drink the water out of the fridge on a regular basis like the baby and I do, he's fine, so I know it's not food poisoning. Does anyone know if these kinds of refridgeratorshave filters that have to be cleaned? It is an older model so I'm wondering if there's some kind of maintenance that has to be done on a regular basis. Who would I talk toregarding this? Any ideas would be very helpful. Thanks.

## Post 2 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 25-Aug-2009 20:52:52

It is possible that it is the filter in your fridge. I'm not sure of the model obviously, but you can replace it in most models. However, your complaints sounds more like a water problem then anything else.
Do you have any problems with water in other parts of the house? Are you getting build up on shower and sink fixtures? Are you getting bitter or strange tastes form your water. Does your skin feel squeaky clean after you've washed your hands or bathed? As in, are you literally squeaky clean? If so, you might just have hard water. You can treat that by getting a water softener installed. They aren't overly expensive, and will save you a lot of money on water.
You can contact a refrigerator store for advice on your fridge, also a maintenence repair man would have the knowledge also more then likely. You can also contact a wagter softener company, and they will come out and do an analosis, and will show you how hard your water is. For our house, they had us wash one hand with our water, and the other with softened water they braught, it was a marked difference.
those are the only suggestions I have. Hope it helps.

## Post 3 by turricane (happiness and change are choices ) on Wednesday, 26-Aug-2009 9:27:15

all i'd add to this is get one of those water pitchers like britta makes. they take out most bad stuff. additionally, you can boil your water for four minutes, cool and drink. if you feel better you've solved the problem. if you don't feel like boiling, put a teaspoon of bleach in a half galon and let it sit for a half hour. it doesn't taste that hot though. another thing that might be the problem is the pipes that come from the water through the door. they can get mold in them. try using water in an ice tray and freezing. if it doesn't make yousick then you know where the problem is lying. i assume you are renting? call your land lord and have him fix the problem.

## Post 4 by Geek Woman (Owner and Founder of Waldorf PC) on Wednesday, 26-Aug-2009 13:01:44

Yes, those fridges can make you sick. We had to stop using ours because it was getting nasty and moldy. The water even started looking and smelling weird. We had the ice/water fridges like you are talking about when i was seven. My parents still have that model but never ever use the water or ice maker. If they want ice, they just open the freezer and get it out. The water? Out of the question. I'd stop using it.

## Post 5 by SunshineAndRain (I'm happily married, a mom of two and a fulltime college student.) on Sunday, 06-Sep-2009 12:43:23

Well, I talked to our manager and maintenance came right over and put a new filter in it. We emptied the tray then put it back and let it fill up with icecompletely before we dumpedit and started over with new ice. We also rinsed out the tray with hot water before allowing the new ice to go in. Then we filled a large cup with water and dumped it about four times. Maintenance recommended we do all this to ensure all the old yucky ice and water got filtered out before we used it again. I've used it for a couple days now and feel fine. I am waiting just a bit longer beforeI try it with myson, but I think our problem's solved.

## Post 6 by laced-unlaced (Account disabled) on Monday, 07-Sep-2009 4:28:12

that's great. :). hope your son feels better too, soon

## Post 7 by Geek Woman (Owner and Founder of Waldorf PC) on Monday, 07-Sep-2009 8:20:10

Hey, I'm so glad that you got that straightened out. Glad the maintenance could help. And you are doing right by waiting a bit before allowing the baby to drink the water. Hope all goes well for you. Please keep us posted as to what all happens.

## Post 8 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Monday, 07-Sep-2009 19:15:24

Opa! that's wonderful. Glad you're feeling better and good luck with your son. *smile*