Chlorine
Chlorine is a powerful poison used as a deadly weapon in World War I. Beginning in 1910 it was added to water to kill bacteria and algae. Within a few years circulatory disease and cancer, which were previously rare, began to affect the population.
Chlorine in water may have caused suffering and early death for millions over the last 100 years. Chlorine readily combines with other compounds, including natural ones, to form new harmful toxins.
For example THM's (trihalomethanes) and MX's (unknown mutagens) are present in virtually every chlorinated water supply. THM's, developed from the combination of chlorine with humic acids from decayed organic matter such as leaves in the source water, is highly carcinogenic.MX's form from the interaction of chlorine, consumed by drinking or absorbed in showering or bathing, with various phytochemicals from plants. MX's are 170 times more deadly than THM's. These can even arise in the body from chlorine's action on food and nutritional supplements. MX's are infinitisimal, very difficult to detect, and can form with even small amounts of chlorine.
A U.S. Council of Environmental Quality study states, "Cancer risk among people drinking chlorinated water is 93% higher than among those whose water does not contain chlorine."
Fluoride
Fluoride has been added to water in major cities since the 1950's. The aluminum manufacturers were stockpiling fluoride, a byproduct of their operations. Looking for a profitable way to dispose of this toxic substance, they first tried to market it as rat poison. That did not sell enough of it.Utilizing some research that suggested it hardened teeth, the aluminum representatives convinced dentists to endorse fluoride for public consumption through the water supply. Before long there was mass drugging without any choice, precedented only in Nazi Germany. (The Nazi's added fluoride to water supplies as it was known to have the effect on the brain of making a person apathetic.)
Statistical studies have shown no appreciable benefit to teeth from fluoridation, but a clear increase in cancer in cities where the water is fluoridated. Overmuch fluoride makes teeth and bones brittle. Children have been seriously harmed by swallowing fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash. A strong overdose of fluoride can be deadly.People who choose to use fluoride can buy fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash. Although tasteless, it is harmful and should not be consumed. It should not be in the water supply. Fortunately, certain purifying methods will remove it.
Other Contaminants
Whether city or well water, the toxins from lead plumbing joints and pollution of the ground water by agriculture, industry, mining, spills, dumping and radioactivity leave your water unacceptable for consumption without purification. There could also be contamination by bacteria and/or algae, for which chlorination is the usual remedy, but often not totally effective.
BOTTLED WATER IS NOT THE ANSWER
Many people drink commercially bottled water. There are no standards for how "pure" bottled water should be other than occasional testing for bacteria at bottling sites. How well purified is this water? How has the equipment been maintained?
Much of bottled water is spring water that is not purified at all. Some is city water filtered to remove chlorine, that still has fluoride and other chemicals in it.
Whether purified or not, in the absence of an antiseptic agent such as chlorine, bacteria can actually grow in bottled water if there is a substantial time between bottling and consumption. How long has the water been stored in inventory?
And what of the cost? Bottled water can run anywhere from $.25 per gallon to $2 per pint. It is far less expensive and much more dependable to have your own purification system and properly maintain it for good water.
CARBON ALONE IS NOT PURIFICATION!
Be aware that Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), the traditional and most commonly used filter media, does not qualify as a purifier as it does not destroy or remove bacteria. In fact, it can be a breeding ground for bacteria growth when sitting for a time unused. Silver added to carbon can inhibit bacteria growth when the filter is idle, but it does not kill bacteria coming through in the water.
Nonetheless, carbon has a high affinity for organic contaminants and chlorine, and is very effective in removing these. However, if carbon is used by itself, it becomes saturated with chlorine rapidly, resulting in a shortened effective life.
In this situation, if people do not change a carbon filter soon enough, before long they are drinking water that may be as loaded with chlorine as raw city tap water!
Still, due to its superior removal of organic pollutants and chlorine, carbon is usually combined with the various methods of purification. As long as carbon is changed often or protected by a preceding method of removing chlorine, it has a valuable role.+++===+++===+++===+++===+++===+++
Purifiers From Waterama.comWe offer several choices for good water purification. Most of these involve redox media, because of its unique properties, effectiveness and affordability.
We have point-of-use kitchen purifiers, both flow through units and reverse osmosis systems, as well as whole house water treatment.Our cartridges with redox and carbon do a great job for up to two years depending on the volume and type of water processed. The larger the family, or the dirtier the water, the sooner you would change the cartridge.
We also have a solid carbon block cartridge for our "Mega Heavy Duty" systems with even an finer screening ability. This pure, high- pressure solid carbon will remove very small particles, eliminating even the bacteria that can get through granular carbon.
NOTE: For those on fluoridated city water, we have special cartridges with "Alumina" added, which more thoroughly eliminates fluoride.
We also make available unique "corrected" reverse osmosis units. There is a counter top RO which attaches directly to the faucet or an under counter system with a holding tank and a separate faucet mounted by the sink.
Single Counter Top Filter Under Counter R.O. System
One of our point-of-use Redox & Carbon units or reverse osmosis systems will effectively reduce or remove the following contaminants:
~algae ~bacteria ~parasites ~mold/fungus ~bad taste ~bad odor ~pesticides (eg. Endrin, Lindane, Methoxychlor, Toxaphene, etc.) ~herbicides (eg. Silvex; 2, 4-D; etc.) ~fertilizers ~nitrates ~detergents ~PCB's ~THM's ~arsenic ~aluminum ~barium ~cadmium ~chlorine ~chromium ~fluoride ~hydrogen sulfide ~iron ~lead ~mercury ~radon ~selenium ~and many more
NOTE: For those on fluoridated city water, our special units with redox + "alumina" or our reverse osmosis systems will more thoroughly eliminate fluoride. NOTE: It is recommended you have a Mineral Energy cartridge with either of these systems.
WARRANTY: Our point-of-use water filtration system housings are warrantied for one year from date of purchase, and our drinking water cartridges for 90 days, to be free of defects in materials and manufacture.