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.
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