Guys, the water in the tank is fully drinkable! I understand guilt by association, but!
But that blue tablet?........
Fully agree my friend! But!
Not a one-hundred percent sure thing! It depends on lots of things:
- Age of the Toilet and its mechanism (older units can lack a back flow device)
- How well (flat) the tank cover sits on the tank.
** Be very careful of poorly fitting tank covers as free floating molds can enter and grow along the tank's water level.
- What chemicals has been placed in the tank and how often. Adding a cap top of Ammonia to a Tank once a year is a great idea if you use Well water.
Do Not Over Use, as you will kill all the bacteria in the Septic System.
- Insulation added to the tank to limit sweating on the exterior (neat concept, bad idea), as it becomes a bacteria and mold haven.
- Well water or treated City water? It is not uncommon for older wells and piping between the well and the home and the complete system to 'over time' (years) develop bacteria. Hence, the reason that when a home with a Well is sold, a water test is required!
The Blue Tablets! Several manufacturers make such tables and the chemicals used are different, but all of them use Ammonia as the base. One really needs to read the label to determine just how serious of a problem there maybe.
Gloves! Since you likely do not have the box the tablet came in, using gloves to handle the tablet is likely a good idea.
Just how Toxic? Less than you may think, since all North America Manufacturers need to follow EPA guidelines. In addition, they want to avoid Class Action Law Suites from City Waste Treatment Facilities and Septic System Clean-Out Organizations!
Toxic Fumes? All depends on what is in the tablet, requires reading the label. Since Ammonia's effect decreases with the volume of water added (keep's them out of Courts) and it does most everything that needs to happen! Most tablets use Ammonia as their primary (active) chemical. More common than not, they add an aroma and coloring to convince uses that it is there (smell and see) and it maybe something more than just Ammonia.
NOTE: Do not use 'Tablets' if you have a Septic system!
FYI: Ammonia in the air decreases in its effects the further away from the source. If you cannot smell it, the levels are low enough not to effect a Parrot.
Try not to be overly hard on the individual that placed the tablet in the toilet tank! Its more our responsibility to pre warn those helping, than to jump on them afterwards!
