Health Through Reverse Osmosis
July 29, 2008
Do residential reverse osmosis water purification systems offer health benefits? If you’ve seen any television ads for them, you might have heard that they are the best choice. There are several things to think about before getting one. Here’s some of the things you need to know.
Reverse osmosis can remove microbial cysts from drinking water. If consumed, the dormant microbes inside will wreak havoc with your Gastrointestinal System. Cysts like these can be found in public water systems and even some bottled brands.
A purification system with sub-micron particle filtration is needed to remove cysts. Only some personal reverse osmosis systems are certified to remove these risks. Another cyst removal method is to boil the water to kill any harmful organisms.
Boiling does not remove chemical contaminants. In fact, boiling releases some chemical contaminants into the air, where they are just as hazardous. If boiling is necessary because of E coli contamination that can occur after a major flood or hurricane, then you should first use a filter with a granular carbon purifier.
Activated carbon purifiers and sub-micron filters are less expensive than reverse osmosis systems. For a complete filtration system though, a multi-step system is needed.
Check performance data to find out what chemical contaminants will be removed. Have your water tested for the presence of contaminants. If the only dangers that you face are chemicals and parasitic cysts, then you will not get any better health through reverse osmosis than you could through another purification method.
Everybody needs a home purification system. You need one in the bathroom and kitchen. The EPA warns that infection can occur while brushing one’s teeth or washing vegetables, because the cysts may cling to the food.
Many chemicals become airborne in the shower due to the heat of the water. Being exposed to byproducts of chlorinated water can cause cancer. The common data states that you have a thirty percent more likely chance for cancer. Some studies claim that it is a significantly higher risk. No researcher today doubts that colorectal and bladder cancer are caused by exposure to disinfection products.
Can you protect your future health through reverse osmosis? Ask the manufacturer if the system removes trihalomethanes or THMs. That’s the only way to be sure.
Multi-level carbon block purifiers will protect you and your family from THMs. You can also get them for a single showerhead or for the whole house. The cost is typically much less than what you would pay for home reverse osmosis systems.
Remember to learn as much as you can before buying anything. The disadvantages might not outweigh the benefits. Simply be sure to do something about your safety when it comes to water purification. Otherwise the risks of contamination might be grave.
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