A Quick Lesson on Faucet Water Filters
Before you buy a kitchen faucet water filter, there are some things that you should know. For one thing, those popular and heavily advertised faucet water filters are not the "best buy". You really have to be careful or you'll end up wasting money, without protecting your family's health.
Where do you live? If you live in a community with a local public provider, you do not need a reverse osmosis step. People will try to tell you that RO is the best, but it's really a waste of time, energy, money and natural resources.
The faucet water filter that you do need is often referred to as "selective" filtration. Those systems allow naturally occurring minerals, if present, to pass through, but removes all of the harmful contaminants that we have to deal with in today's world.
The best faucet water filters actually improve your water's mineral content. With a process called ion exchange, traces of metals like lead and copper are exchanged for good tasting and healthy minerals like potassium and sodium.
You also need a system that will remove THMs and VOCs. THM is a byproduct of chlorination and just because a system removes chlorine, you can't automatically assume that it removes THM, a known carcinogen and neurotoxin.
VOCs cause numerous health problems. There's no way to tell whether or not they are present in your supply, unless you have testing conducted. But, I always prefer to err on the side of caution, particularly since studies have found them at over 800 test sites around the United States.
Those cheap, yet popular, faucet water filters made by PUR and Brita do not remove THMs or VOCs. There prices make them attractive, but the cost of use (20cents per gallon) is high. Another faucet water filter may cost more initially, but have a lower cost of use. I have one and the cost per gallon is less than a dime.
PUR, Brita and many other faucet water filters use granular activated carbon or GAC to reduce chlorine and odor, as well as to improve taste. The problem with GAC is that it can break down and end up in your glass, if additional steps are not included.
GAC is less effective than a carbon block, since water can channel around the granules. The best faucet water filter includes both GAC and a carbon block, with a micron particle sized porous channel that insures all waters will be filtered. That's the kind that I have and it's certified to remove more than 99% of chlorine, lead, cysts, THMs, VOCs, pesticides, herbicides and other cancer-causing chemicals.
In case you hadn't thought about it, you need showerhead, as well as faucet water filters. Chlorine dries out your skin and hair, as well as changing the color. But, also, hazardous chemicals can be absorbed through your skin and inhaled during a shower.
The company that I chose to order from has a "package deal". You get a faucet water filter and a showerhead system for less than 0. That's really your best buy.
No comments:
Post a Comment