| Water purification is a complex topic, but | | | | |
| learning a little about the technology is a | | | | Chlorine can be removed with an activated |
| good idea. This is especially true, if you | | | | carbon filter, but the effectiveness of the |
| are shopping for a home water filter. There | | | | different models varies between 75-99%. |
| some really good water purifiers and some | | | | You should ask to see a certification, before |
| mediocre products. What follows are some | | | | you buy. The California Public Health |
| suggestions about which type to look for and | | | | Certification is the most stringent. UL |
| which ones to avoid. | | | | listings are also reliable. |
| | | | |
| If you live in an area with a public water | | | | The best manufacturers of home water |
| purification facility, then the liquid that | | | | purification systems provide this information |
| comes through your faucets has already been | | | | freely, along with their other brochures, but |
| treated in a number of different processes. | | | | only in three states are they required to |
| Of course, some treatment plants can supply | | | | have their products certified. |
| cleaner water than others. In its latest | | | | |
| published annual report the EPA stated that | | | | One problem that public water purification |
| "76% of the populations served by public | | | | systems cannot address is contamination with |
| water systems received drinking water with no | | | | bacteria resistant to chemical disinfection. |
| significant violations". That means that for | | | | One of the biggest threats is a parasite |
| the other 24% there were significant | | | | called cryptosporidium. Some home water |
| violations. | | | | purifiers can block 99% of these illness |
| | | | causing parasites, but not all. |
| It is reports like this that have caused | | | | |
| consumers to look at ways to obtain cleaner | | | | In addition to chlorine and bacteria there |
| drinking water. As a result sales of water | | | | are more than 2000 chemicals in tap water, |
| filters have increased substantially. | | | | many of them potentially cancerous. The best |
| Companies ranging from Sears to the Clorox | | | | water filter for the money is one that blocks |
| Bleach Company are selling water purifiers. | | | | them all. |
| Regardless of where you live, there are some | | | | |
| contaminants still present in the water | | | | What should you avoid? You probably do not |
| supplied to your home. The only way to | | | | need reverse osmosis water purification. It |
| completely protect yourself is to invest in a | | | | does nothing to remove chemicals or bacteria. |
| water purifier of your own. | | | | It's outrageously expensive and wasteful. |
| | | | It does, on the other hand, remove health |
| EPA standards are not all that high, you see. | | | | giving minerals from the water. This type of |
| For example the level of chlorine allowed by | | | | water purifier is only helpful if you live on |
| the EPA is not considered safe by some | | | | an island or your only source for drinking is |
| experts. A recent study carried out at | | | | an untreated lake or river water. |
| Birmingham University found that babies born | | | | |
| in areas where drinking water is heavily | | | | Water purifiers complete the process begun at |
| disinfected with chlorine are at double the | | | | the public water purification plant. Be a |
| risk of heart problems, cleft palate or major | | | | smart shopper and choose the right ones. |
| brain defects. | | | | |