If you’re looking for at pure water distillers as a purification device for your home, you need to reconsider that decision.
Certain industries, including pharmaceutical companies, need pure water distillers, because the naturally occurring mineral content as well as living organisms, can cause damage to either their equipment or the product they are producing. For home purification needs, you need to consider a different process.
Maybe, you were thinking of the PUR brand of water filters. Some people get confused about the spelling.
PUR does not make a pure water distiller. They make a granular carbon filter that removes chlorine, odor, cysts and lead. It’s not the best product on the market for home use, because it doesn’t remove some of the hazardous contaminants that are present in municipal water.
By the same token, a pure water distiller does not remove many hazardous contaminants, either. Distillation works by boiling water until it is vaporized. The vapor travels through a hose and into a cooling pot, where they once again become liquid.
Inside the initial boiling chamber, contaminants that have a higher boiling point than water will remain behind. Things like minerals, for example, will not travel through the hose and on to the cooling pot.
However contaminants that have a lower boiling point than water, such as Trihalomethane (THM’s), and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) are vaporized along with the water. Because of this they travel with the water through the hose and into the final holding tank.
THMs and VOCs can only be removed through a process called adsorption, not to be confused with absorption. Neither PUR nor pure water distillers include this vital step.
What’s wrong with THMs and VOCs? How do I know they’re even in my water?
Glad you asked. THMs are always present when chlorine, chloramines or other chemicals are used to disinfect. So, if you have chlorine in your water, you have THMs. Pretty much all municipal water treatment plants use chlorine as part of their water treatment process. THM’s are known to cause cancer.
A pure water distiller won’t protect you. But, a multi-stage home purification device will. There are a number of fine products that are also very affordable.
Pure water distillers are expensive. They use a lot of energy, use a lot of water and maintenance is a pain. These distillers can only “clean” a limited amount of water at any given time, and only a small amount of “purified” water is produced from large amount of water processed.
The best multi-stage filtration devices have unlimited capacity. They can produce gallons every day for less than a dime a gallon. They are not difficult to use. They have larger whole house units, or smaller units that attach directly to your faucet, so all you have to do is turn on the tap. The only maintenance they require is to replacement filtering cartridge after 500 gallons.
So, if you are a homeowner, you really ought to reconsider purchasing a pure water distiller and check out the multi-stage selective filtration products available. Accomplish your goal, and drink truly safe and healthy water, for a change.
Information to regain and maintain our health, naturally. From the water we drink, supplements we ingest to our natural skin care and more - we will strive to provide you information and resources to achieve better health, naturally.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Are the Product Data Sheets for a Water Filter System all that Important?
Before you buy a drinking water filter system, make certain to go over the product’s data sheet for functionality. You’ll in all likelihood be surprised at some of the things that the systems “leave in” the water supply.
Not all companies make the data sheets readily available to their purchasers, but in some states the producer of a drinking water filter system is mandated to include certified product performance data, along with their pamphlets and additional data. Companies with an internet site may furnish this data easily prior to possible buyers make a purchase.
Be leery of companies that are “elusive” about what their drinking water filter system may actually filter out. You’re going to want a system that removes nearly all the contaminants in our water to include chlorine, lead, cysts, THMs, VOCs, lindane, alachlor, benzene, atrazine, TCE and MTBE.
Unfortunately, of the 10 most popular brands, just two can get rid of MTBE.
MTBE, or methyl-t-butyl ether, is utilized by manufacturers as a solvent, but its primary application is as an “anti-knocking” fuel additive. It has been found its way into public drinking water supplies as a result of leaky fuel lines and underground storage tanks.
Once in our water, it is very difficult to get rid of without a complex multi-stage drinking water filter system. Most large scale water treatment facilities are incapable of filtering out this contaminant.
Nearly any drinking water filter system will block chlorine, but only about half can block THMs, which are by-products of chlorine disinfection.
Chloroform represents one of the THMs. The Food and Drug Administration suggests that the bulk of households in United States have at least some level of chloroform gas in the air. The FDA identified showering in chlorinated water as the source of this chloroform gas.
Which underscores the need to filter more than just your drinking water, either with a shower filter or a whole house filter?
Exposure to chloroform gas can cause dizziness and headaches, and at high levels can cause unconsciousness. Researchers believe that exposure to chloroform is especially hazardous during pregnancy and may result in miscarriage or birth defects.
The additional chemicals and contaminants named above all contain health hazards. The most effective drinking water filter system will remove them all, but there are only two manufacturers presently on the market, that do just that.
The performance data sheet of the product you're considering had better list all of them along with the percentage removed.
Product data sheets also allow you to compare the operating costs of using an in-home drinking water filter system. These costs include replacement filters and any additional costs connected with the use of the product.
Using the product data sheet, provide the data necessary to enable you to compare “apples to apples.” Obviously, the cost of using a whole house water filtering system will be significantly different than the cost of using a point of use, kitchen system.
It’s critical that you be able to review the product data sheets when choosing a drinking water filter system for yourself or your family. So, if you have to struggle to get one from the manufacturer, you really should eliminate that product from your list of choices.
Not all companies make the data sheets readily available to their purchasers, but in some states the producer of a drinking water filter system is mandated to include certified product performance data, along with their pamphlets and additional data. Companies with an internet site may furnish this data easily prior to possible buyers make a purchase.
Be leery of companies that are “elusive” about what their drinking water filter system may actually filter out. You’re going to want a system that removes nearly all the contaminants in our water to include chlorine, lead, cysts, THMs, VOCs, lindane, alachlor, benzene, atrazine, TCE and MTBE.
Unfortunately, of the 10 most popular brands, just two can get rid of MTBE.
MTBE, or methyl-t-butyl ether, is utilized by manufacturers as a solvent, but its primary application is as an “anti-knocking” fuel additive. It has been found its way into public drinking water supplies as a result of leaky fuel lines and underground storage tanks.
Once in our water, it is very difficult to get rid of without a complex multi-stage drinking water filter system. Most large scale water treatment facilities are incapable of filtering out this contaminant.
Nearly any drinking water filter system will block chlorine, but only about half can block THMs, which are by-products of chlorine disinfection.
Chloroform represents one of the THMs. The Food and Drug Administration suggests that the bulk of households in United States have at least some level of chloroform gas in the air. The FDA identified showering in chlorinated water as the source of this chloroform gas.
Which underscores the need to filter more than just your drinking water, either with a shower filter or a whole house filter?
Exposure to chloroform gas can cause dizziness and headaches, and at high levels can cause unconsciousness. Researchers believe that exposure to chloroform is especially hazardous during pregnancy and may result in miscarriage or birth defects.
The additional chemicals and contaminants named above all contain health hazards. The most effective drinking water filter system will remove them all, but there are only two manufacturers presently on the market, that do just that.
The performance data sheet of the product you're considering had better list all of them along with the percentage removed.
Product data sheets also allow you to compare the operating costs of using an in-home drinking water filter system. These costs include replacement filters and any additional costs connected with the use of the product.
Using the product data sheet, provide the data necessary to enable you to compare “apples to apples.” Obviously, the cost of using a whole house water filtering system will be significantly different than the cost of using a point of use, kitchen system.
It’s critical that you be able to review the product data sheets when choosing a drinking water filter system for yourself or your family. So, if you have to struggle to get one from the manufacturer, you really should eliminate that product from your list of choices.
What’s So Good About a Whole House Water Treatment System?
If you’re concerned, what all of the contaminants in our drinking water will do to your family’s health, then you may want to consider the benefits of a whole house water treatment system.
Although countertop drinking water filters have been around for quite some time whole house water treatment is a fairly new option to most people. While this system does offer you more protection for your dollar, it is simply not practical for many people.
For example if you are living in an apartment, or rent a house, or even if the house that you own is small, then a whole house water treatment system may not be the ideal solution for you.
Point of use filters for the kitchen faucet, and showerhead filters for the bathroom would be a better way to go in these cases.
However if the house that you live in is large, and has several different bathrooms then water treatment equipment that services the entire home may be the most economical option to provide healthy water you and your family. Depending on how many showers and faucets that you would actually have to protect, point of use filters could add up - seriously.
Besides, THM’s are also readily absorbed by the skin, say, when you’re taking a shower. So, if you only have filters protecting your drinking water, you’re leaving yourself open for exposure by not filtering your shower water.
A system that purifies the water for the entire house is beneficial due to the chloroform that comes from the Trihalomethanes (THM’s), in our water. THM’s are a byproduct of the chlorine disinfection process, and when they are released from the water lines they immediately turn into their natural gaseous state.
Several scientific studies have linked THM’s to an increased risk of cancer, along with other health risks such as miscarriages.
Most people don’t think about the fact that even if you can block THM’s from entering your home through your showerheads and faucets, that they can still easily enter through your washing machine, dishwasher and any other water source. Whole house water treatment will prevent this from happening.
Whatever form of water treatment equipment that you decide is right for you it’s important you the pros and cons of the system you decide upon. Unfortunately, the quality of our water is not going to get better any time soon, as a matter of fact some experts are predicting it to become far worse before it gets better.
If you have come to the conclusion that a whole house water treatment system is simply not for you that’s okay, because there are still plenty of high quality countertop and showerhead filters to keep you protected from the dangers that lurk within our water supplies.
This water treatment equipment is very reasonably priced with the best countertop filters priced around $125, and the best showerhead filters marked at $105. When you compare that to the $1,000 price tag of the whole house unit they are a steal, unless as I said earlier you need a lot of them.
The benefits of whole house water treatment are many, and a lot of people choose this option simply to make sure that they have all of their bases covered. Any choice that you make though is the right choice when it comes to having cleaner, healthier water.
Although countertop drinking water filters have been around for quite some time whole house water treatment is a fairly new option to most people. While this system does offer you more protection for your dollar, it is simply not practical for many people.
For example if you are living in an apartment, or rent a house, or even if the house that you own is small, then a whole house water treatment system may not be the ideal solution for you.
Point of use filters for the kitchen faucet, and showerhead filters for the bathroom would be a better way to go in these cases.
However if the house that you live in is large, and has several different bathrooms then water treatment equipment that services the entire home may be the most economical option to provide healthy water you and your family. Depending on how many showers and faucets that you would actually have to protect, point of use filters could add up - seriously.
Besides, THM’s are also readily absorbed by the skin, say, when you’re taking a shower. So, if you only have filters protecting your drinking water, you’re leaving yourself open for exposure by not filtering your shower water.
A system that purifies the water for the entire house is beneficial due to the chloroform that comes from the Trihalomethanes (THM’s), in our water. THM’s are a byproduct of the chlorine disinfection process, and when they are released from the water lines they immediately turn into their natural gaseous state.
Several scientific studies have linked THM’s to an increased risk of cancer, along with other health risks such as miscarriages.
Most people don’t think about the fact that even if you can block THM’s from entering your home through your showerheads and faucets, that they can still easily enter through your washing machine, dishwasher and any other water source. Whole house water treatment will prevent this from happening.
Whatever form of water treatment equipment that you decide is right for you it’s important you the pros and cons of the system you decide upon. Unfortunately, the quality of our water is not going to get better any time soon, as a matter of fact some experts are predicting it to become far worse before it gets better.
If you have come to the conclusion that a whole house water treatment system is simply not for you that’s okay, because there are still plenty of high quality countertop and showerhead filters to keep you protected from the dangers that lurk within our water supplies.
This water treatment equipment is very reasonably priced with the best countertop filters priced around $125, and the best showerhead filters marked at $105. When you compare that to the $1,000 price tag of the whole house unit they are a steal, unless as I said earlier you need a lot of them.
The benefits of whole house water treatment are many, and a lot of people choose this option simply to make sure that they have all of their bases covered. Any choice that you make though is the right choice when it comes to having cleaner, healthier water.
Chemicals in Tap water
If you have found this site, then you're probably already aware that our drinking and bathing water is essentially under siege.
I grew up thinking clean drinking water was a given. Now, grant it, that was a bit naive, but with all the municipal water treatment plants around this country, did you ever consider that finding a clean water source could become so difficult?
With all the nasty contaminants entering our water, from so many different sources, it’s no wonder we’re suffering from so many ailments. From the increase in allergies, cancers, Alzheimer’s – it’s not that far a stretch to begin considering that maybe all those chemicals we have been ingesting over the course of our lives, might just be manifesting themselves.
The CBS News did a story on April 20th, 2009 which stated among other things, that the “…major drug makers, have legally released at least 271 million pounds of pharmaceuticals into waterways that often provide drinking water,” for the nearby communities.
Well, that’s swell!
The article goes on to point out that there are numerous other pharmaceuticals that are used in other manufacturing processes that find there way into our water, as well. There’s no way of knowing for sure to what extent, because according to federal and industry insiders, nobody’s keeping track.
What? That can’t be, right?!
The Associated Press, through its PharmaWater Investigation, has identified at least 22 compounds that end up being discharged into our waterways.
On top of that, The Associated Press reported, “A vast array of pharmaceuticals including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones have been found in the drinking water supplies...”i
It’s already been shown through research that small amounts of these various chemicals can be devastating to fish and wildlife.
I don’t know of any research that has taken into account the compounding effect the ingestion of these drugs may have.
Nor do these studies consider that there may be multiple contaminants in our water at one time. Oh, and these studies pretty much refer to the effects the ingestions of these drugs may have on a normal adult. No consideration has been taken into account for children or pets.
How many parents mix up a batch of formula for their infant children everyday, using water with “trace” amounts of pharmaceuticals present? We all know that children may have stronger reactions to drugs than adults; otherwise they wouldn’t mandate smaller dosages for children.
Utilities maintain the water is safe, as do doctors and the EPA. But, it’s pretty common knowledge that the testing procedures and water filtration systems at most municipal water treatment plants are inadequate.
"We know we are being exposed to other people's drugs through our drinking water, and that can't be good," says Dr. David Carpenter, who directs the Institute for Health and the Environment of the State University of New York at Albany.ii
So, before you gulp down that clear glass of water, you may want to give some serious thought to what you may actually be drinking. The need for home water purification has never been higher.
______________________________________________________________________
I grew up thinking clean drinking water was a given. Now, grant it, that was a bit naive, but with all the municipal water treatment plants around this country, did you ever consider that finding a clean water source could become so difficult?
With all the nasty contaminants entering our water, from so many different sources, it’s no wonder we’re suffering from so many ailments. From the increase in allergies, cancers, Alzheimer’s – it’s not that far a stretch to begin considering that maybe all those chemicals we have been ingesting over the course of our lives, might just be manifesting themselves.
The CBS News did a story on April 20th, 2009 which stated among other things, that the “…major drug makers, have legally released at least 271 million pounds of pharmaceuticals into waterways that often provide drinking water,” for the nearby communities.
Well, that’s swell!
The article goes on to point out that there are numerous other pharmaceuticals that are used in other manufacturing processes that find there way into our water, as well. There’s no way of knowing for sure to what extent, because according to federal and industry insiders, nobody’s keeping track.
What? That can’t be, right?!
The Associated Press, through its PharmaWater Investigation, has identified at least 22 compounds that end up being discharged into our waterways.
On top of that, The Associated Press reported, “A vast array of pharmaceuticals including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones have been found in the drinking water supplies...”i
It’s already been shown through research that small amounts of these various chemicals can be devastating to fish and wildlife.
I don’t know of any research that has taken into account the compounding effect the ingestion of these drugs may have.
Nor do these studies consider that there may be multiple contaminants in our water at one time. Oh, and these studies pretty much refer to the effects the ingestions of these drugs may have on a normal adult. No consideration has been taken into account for children or pets.
How many parents mix up a batch of formula for their infant children everyday, using water with “trace” amounts of pharmaceuticals present? We all know that children may have stronger reactions to drugs than adults; otherwise they wouldn’t mandate smaller dosages for children.
Utilities maintain the water is safe, as do doctors and the EPA. But, it’s pretty common knowledge that the testing procedures and water filtration systems at most municipal water treatment plants are inadequate.
"We know we are being exposed to other people's drugs through our drinking water, and that can't be good," says Dr. David Carpenter, who directs the Institute for Health and the Environment of the State University of New York at Albany.ii
So, before you gulp down that clear glass of water, you may want to give some serious thought to what you may actually be drinking. The need for home water purification has never been higher.
______________________________________________________________________
i )PHARMAWATER I / Pharmaceuticals found in drinking water, affecting wildlife and maybe humans / By JEFF DONN, MARTHA MENDOZA and JUSTIN PRITCHARD / Associated Press Writers
ii )PHARMAWATER I / Pharmaceuticals found in drinking water, affecting wildlife and maybe humans / By JEFF DONN, MARTHA MENDOZA and JUSTIN PRITCHARD / Associated Press Writers
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