Brita Water Filters are useful for producing cleaner and safer water, but do they eliminate or reduce the contaminants in your water? Though these filters are effective in removing some impurities from tap water, they may not be productive in removing other toxins commonly found in our water supplies.
In an assessment the Environment Working Group (EWG) completed across the U.S., water suppliers in 43 states detected 260 contaminants in their water. Of these contaminants, 141 of them are unregulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Some of the regulated impurities include chlorine, lead, trihalomethanes (THMs), and VOCs.
Brita water filters remove chlorine and lead, but according to one comparison, their faucet and pitcher filters do not remove THMs or VOCs. But with so many comparisons floating around, it is difficult to determine fact from fiction. The following tips should help make shopping for your water filter easier.
Research the company's web site to see if they have a performance data sheet (PDS) on the water filter. If a PDS does not exist on the filter, then take this as a sign that the filter does not meet certain standards. Any company that claims that their unit can remove all contaminants in your water but that does not offer a PDS to back up that claim is probably giving you bogus information. If the unit is packaged with a PDS, check it to see if it is certified to remove THMs or VOCs in addition to chlorine and lead. If the unit is not certified to remove these two types of contaminants, don't waste your money. THMs and VOCs are very common, harmful impurities often found in drinking water, and they can lead to cancer and other health-related problems. Investigate the company's web site to learn about the technology used in their filtration systems. Also, find out whether or not the filtration system retains the natural minerals found in tap water. Retaining the minerals in tap water is important because our bodies require them for optimal health. Stripping the minerals away from drinking water reduces the alkalinity, resulting to an acidic state. Therefore, any high-quality water filter employs technology designed to keep minerals in the water during the filtration phase. Find out how often you will need to change the filter cartridge for the unit to perform effectively. A unit requiring frequent changes can become costly and inconvenient. Also, research indicates that people are NOT likely to change cartridges on schedule in filters requiring frequent changes, but they are likely to change cartridges that do not require frequent changes. Find out if the unit employs a pre-filtering stage. A filter with a pre-filtering stage removes debris such as sediment from the water, thus preventing its flow from slowing down. Without a pre-filtering stage, the unit is not as effective in reducing impurities since pores can become clogged with debris.
So, if you are considering a Brita water filter or any other filter, please follow these guidelines first. Following these tips can help you make an educated decision in protecting your water quality and your health for many years to come.
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