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