Water Filtration

In our search for the best countertop water filter, we will have to consider a number of things. What countertop water filters do is as important as what they do not do. Not all of them work the same, even though all may look pretty sitting on your sink.

Cosmetically, the best countertop water filter should be appealing, since it is going to be visible all the time and you do not want an eyesore sitting there for eternity, or what may seem like it. But, of course, that is not the only important consideration.

Countertop water filters should block chemical and biological contaminants that are not removed by the treatment facility. You have to assume that they are doing the best that they can do, but investigative reporting sometimes suggests differently.

It appears that some suppliers are fudging the numbers in order to pass EPA standards, which are not even that stringent. Even if the tests do pass EPA standards, the safety applies to 175 pound adults. If you are a smaller adult or you have children, you have to have the best countertop water filter just to protect yourself from what the EPA allows.

If you compare countertop water filters, you will find that many only remove chlorine and odor. That’s all well and good, because the chemical has been linked to cancer, causes digestive problems and aggravates existing health problems. But, there are a lot of other things to worry about.

The best countertop water filter will block chlorine, but it will also block chlorine by-products (THMs), volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), lead (a toxic metal), pesticides, herbicides, micron particles and cysts. Everything that is in the soil eventually ends up in the reservoir and gradually makes it’s way into your home.

Most countertop water filters cannot live up to these expectations. The best countertop water filter on the market can do that and more.

Some older systems, including distillation and reverse osmosis remove some contaminants, but they cannot block chemicals and they leave the water de-mineralized. Studies have shown that drinking that over a period of time leads to digestive problems and mineral deficiencies. After years of drinking something like that, you can end up with osteoporosis, arthritis and other debilitating diseases.

If, you do your homework correctly, you will learn that a few countertop water filters include an ion exchange system, which balances mineral content, rather than removing them all together.

Here’s what you really need to look for. The best countertop water filter on the market today combines ion exchange with multi-media filtration and activated carbon. It is the most advanced technology that you will find.

Most countertop water filters use activated carbon, alone. This removes chlorine and improves taste and smell, so many people are content. Some people think that if you can’t see or smell it, then it won’t hurt you. There are a lot of things that you cannot see or smell that can kill you. Just think about it.

The best countertop water filter will save you from the worry. Now that you know what to look for, you can easily find it.

An Ezine article

Concerns about contaminated drinking water stations or fountains are not unwarranted. Most of the manufacturers do not include appropriate filtration systems. So, you and your co-workers are consuming whatever contaminants are present in the local water supply.

Chlorine and THMs are chemical contaminants present in practically all publicly treated water supplies. Cysts may also be present at any time, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Lead is a problem in a number of cities, particularly those with older infrastructures. Herbicides and pesticides are big problems in Maryland and the “Corn Belt”. 
 
Benzene and other cancer-causing chemicals are present throughout the world. Perchlorate, a VOC and endocrine disruptor, has been found during independent testing in sites throughout the US. MTBE is a problem in many areas, due to seepage from underground gasoline storage tanks. MTBE is probably not a carcinogen, but it ruins the taste and smell of the water. 
 
You might believe that the five gallon jugs are a good alternative to contaminated drinking water stations, but testing by public safety groups found that most of those jugs leach BPA into the water stored in them. BPA is another endocrine disruptor. You might like to know what endocrine disruptors are.
 
They are chemicals that act like hormones within the human body; they interfere with the body’s natural production of hormones. Most of them have been proven to heighten a person’s risk of cancer. Recent studies indicate that they may be part of the the obesity epidemic. BPAs are prevalent in the environment, in processed foods, and in bottled water.
 
The best alternative to contaminated drinking water stations is an effective purification system found in bottle-less water coolers. But, to guarantee protection, check the product performance data before you buy. The information should include the type of contaminant that is reduced as well as the extent of reduction. The list should look something like this:
 

• THM reduction; 99% or more
• Chlorine reduction; 99.99% or more
• Cyst reduction; 99% or more
• Lead reduction; 99% or more

Benzene, MTB, and VOCs should also be on the list as should common herbicides and pesticides such as lindane, alachlor, and atrazine. Filters should be changed regularly, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
 
There’s no need to worry about contaminated drinking water stations if you install a bottle-less water cooler with an effective purifier which is a healthier and far more affordable option than supplying bottled water to all the employees. According to estimates from the Environmental Working Group, a family of four can save over $1000 per year by installing a purifier and giving up bottled water.
 
If you have a large work staff, imagine how much you could save. You can avoid the risk of contaminated drinking water stations and save money too. What could be better? And, when buying a home water filtration system, remember it is an investment in your health; make sure you make it a good one.

An Ezine article

Wellness shower filters are among the leading brands of chlorine removing shower filters. They are also one of the most expensive. There is no question that they have created a good product, but other companies can do the same job for less. Why pay more?

Often we think that a more expensive product must be better in some way, but when it comes to chlorine removing shower filters, that is not the case. We compared the technology behind Wellness shower filters to that used by another less expensive brands. Here’s what we found.

The Wellness shower filters company claims that their filters last two or three times longer than other brands, up to 24 months. But, independent comparisons indicated that the cartridge must be replaced every year at a cost of $189.00.

It’s true that other chlorine removing shower filters must be replaced every three to six months, but the annual cost is less, starting as low as $84.00 per year. That’s a hundred dollar difference.

One of the reasons for the extra expense, according to the Wellness shower filters company website, is the use of rare igneous stones to “enhance” the mineral content of the water and stabilize the pH balance. There is a less expensive option.

One of the more reasonably priced chlorine removing shower filters uses granular copper and zinc to reduce chlorine and “enhance” the pH balance. They also use carbon, derived from coconut shell, to reduce additional chemicals.

Copper and zinc are not rare stones, but they work just as well and coconut shells are a renewable resource. If Wellness shower filters continue to use the “rare” stones, they may be out of business, since the stones cannot last forever, particularly if they are really “rare”.

Reliability is one of the things that you have to be concerned about when you are shopping for chlorine removing shower filters or water filters for other areas of the home. All of these systems need replacement cartridges on a regular basis in order to continue to be effective. The cartridges are not interchangeable, so if a company goes out of business, you are left with a non-functioning product. In this case, you would just have a regular shower head.

The design of Wellness shower filters is a problem for some people. The system reduces the flow rate or water pressure. If you enjoy a pulsating shower, you may want to choose one of the other chlorine removing shower filters on the market.

There is no doubt that chemical and chlorine removing shower filters are practically a necessity for good health and beauty. In a matter of days, you will notice that your skin is softer and looks younger. After the first shower, you will notice that your hair looks and feels better. After a few weeks of not inhaling dangerous chlorine and chemical vapors, you will probably start to feel better all over.

Any filter is better than no filter at all, but you really don’t have to pay the higher price in order to get the best shower filters. Wellness shower filters are good, but probably not worth the added expense.

An Ezine article