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Home , Cryptosporidiosis, Distilled water, Filtration, Tap water, Water filter

Table of Contents

Home treatment facts ...... pg.2

Advice for people with severely compromised immune systems (Sidebar) ...... pg.2

Local ...... pg.3

Cost and maintenance ...... pg.4

At-home to water quality problems (Sidebar) ...... pg.4

Performance ...... pg.4

Point of use devices ...... pg.5

Point of entry devices ...... pg.6

How filters work (Sidebar) ...... pg.6

Certification ...... pg.7

Contact information ...... pg.8

EPA registration of water filters (Sidebar) ...... pg.8 Advice for people with sonal use, end-of-tap, under sink) severely compromised Home Facts filters that remove particles one shows how these levels compare with EPA’s drinking immune systems micrometer or less in diameter. water standards. Americans spend billions of dollars each year on home Filters that use reverse , Some people may wish to take those labeled as “absolute one water treatment units.According to the Water Quality Some contaminant levels remain constant throughout special precautions with the water micron filters,” or those labeled as Association, more than four out of 10 Americans use a the year, while others vary according to season, they . In particular, people certified by an American National weather, or from house to house. For example, with immune systems that are home water treatment unit.These units range from Standards Institute (ANSI) - typically occurs when it leaches from the lead pipes weakened by AIDS, chemothera- simple pitchers costing less than $20 to sophisticated accredited organization to py or transplant medications are units costing hundreds of dollars. ANSI/NSF Standard 53 for “Cyst and solder that are in some homes. If you are con- more vulnerable to microbial con- Removal” provide the greatest cerned about a contaminant whose level may vary, taminants in such Some people use a home water treatment unit to assurance of removing consider getting your water tested (use a certified labo- as . improve the taste of their . Others treat their Cryptosporidium. As with all filters, ratory for the most reliable results). Use this informa- water because of health concerns.While EPA does not follow the manufacturer’s instruc- tion to help decide on a home water treatment unit. Cryptosporidium is a microscopic endorse specific units, the Agency does set and tions for filter use and replace- parasite that lives in the intestine of enforce national standards for the tap water provided ment. If your water comes from a household , EPA infected and . It by public water systems. recommends annual water testing for nitrates and col- passes in the stool in its dormant Use iform . In addition, check with your health depart- oocyst form.The oocyst is protect- Drinking water can reasonably be expected to contain ment or local water systems that use ground water for ed by an outer shell that allows it Check the label or call the bottler at least small amounts of some contaminants.As long information on contaminants of concern in your area. to survive outside the body for to find out how bottled water is long periods of time and makes it as those contaminants are at levels no higher than treated. The following bottled Armed with this specific information, you can deter- very resistant to -based EPA standards, the water is considered safe to drink water treatments protect against . It occurs mainly in for healthy people. People with severely weakened Cryptosporidium: reverse osmosis, mine your purpose in buying a home water treatment surface water sources, such as immune systems or other specific health conditions, or , ultraviolet light, or filtra- unit: to remove specific contaminants; to take extra , streams and rivers. In healthy those concerned about specific contaminants present tion with an absolute one micron precautions because a household member has a adults,Cryptosporidium can cause ill- in local drinking water, may wish to further treat their filter.Bottled derived from compromised ; to improve the taste of ness,but for people with weakened water at home or purchase high quality bottled water. protected well and spring water the water, or some combination of these concerns. immune systems, it can cause sources are less likely to be con- severe illness and even death. Before purchasing a home water treatment unit, con- taminated by Cryptosporidium than sider local water quality, cost and maintenance of the those containing untreated munic- Those who wish to take extra unit, product performance, and certifications to make ipal drinking water from less pro- measures to avoid waterborne tected sources such as rivers and sure that the unit will meet your needs. cryptosporidiosis can bring their lakes. drinking water to a boil for a full minute. water is the Local water quality Those who choose to take these most effective way of killing precautions should remember Cryptosporidium.As an alterna- Begin by learning as much as possible about your tap that they can be exposed to tive to boiling water, people may water. If you haven’t already received it, contact your waterborne through take the following measures: local water supplier and ask for the annual water water used for brushing teeth, quality report (sometimes called a consumer confi- making ice cubes, and washing Use a point-of-use filter dence report).This report lists the levels of contami- fruits and vegetables – not just nants that have been detected in the water and through water they drink. Consider using point-of-use (per- 2 3 At-home solutions to At-home solutions to water quality problems Cost and Maintenance water quality problems into and may pose a risk when inhaled, such as when showering. A point-of-entry device can Improve taste Prices vary depending on type (pitcher, faucet filter, Kill microbes reduce of these contaminants and etc.), where and how the unit is installed, and what others that cause aesthetic problems such as scal- If you object to the chlorine If you have a contaminated contaminants it removes. Prices can range from $20 ing, staining, or odor. taste of your tap water, try private well, have special placing the water in an for a simple pitcher to hundreds of dollars for a health needs (see left side of uncovered pitcher in the reverse osmosis unit. page 2), or in an emergency Point-of-Use Devices: refrigerator overnight. This situation such as a flood, boil will reduce the chlorine taste. All units require some maintenance, and it is impor- water for one minute to kill Filter pitchers: Water pitchers are an Most tap water is treated tant to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations microbes (or three minutes affordable and commonly used free-standing home with chlorine to kill - for replacements. For example, activated filters at altitudes greater than one water treatment device. Most water pitchers use gran- causing microbes. Water sys- are designed to filter a certain amount of water; after mile) and place in a clean, ular- and resins to bond with and tems use chlorine because it that, the filters become clogged and ineffective. Check covered container. contaminants.These filters are effective at is an effective for the schedule and cost for replacement filters. improving the taste of water, and many will also viruses and bacteria, and reduce lead and other contaminants. because it continues to disin- Performance fect water as it travels Specific contaminants removed vary by model and through pipes. The following information briefly describes how differ- depend on the pore size and other factors. An acti- vated carbon filter, by itself, is not designed to remove Reduce lead ent types of home water treatment units work. For details, read information that accompanies all disease-causing organisms. Carbon filters have a If you have tested your water the product and look for independent specified shelf life and should be replaced regularly and know that it has high lev- certification of manufacturers’ claims. according to the manufacturer’s instructions. els of lead, or if your home has lead pipes, flush the cold Different units remove different contaminants or classes water tap by running it until it of contaminants from the water. Sophisticated units becomes cold if the water may use multiple to remove several types hasn’t been used for several of contaminants and to provide backup protection in hours. Lead accumulates after case one treatment fails. extended contact with lead pipes. You may use this A water treatment device can either be free-standing, flushed water to water plants attached to a tap, plumbed in with a dedicated faucet and do other household chores. (also called a point-of-use device) connected to a refrigerator’s water and ice dispensing system; or cen- trally attached to treat all water entering a house (a point-of-entry device).

For most contaminants, a point-of-use device is effec- tive for treating only the water that is consumed. However, some contaminants, such as radon, disinfection byproducts, and some organic chemicals, easily turn 4 5 How filters work Removing specific con- Filters that attach to a faucet or are installed taminants Water Softeners:Water softeners use a cation A is composed of under the sink for a drinking water third faucet: exchange resin, regenerated with chloride or a screen with many micro- These filters generally use the same technologies as their Giardia and Cryptosporidium potassium chloride, to reduce the amount of hardness scopic holes. The smaller the pour-through pitcher counterparts. Some filters use fabrics, - distillation, reverse osmosis, (, ) in the water.The hardness in holes, the more contaminants fiber, or ceramic screening to physically remove contami- absolute one micron filters, the water are replaced with sodium or potassium ions. the filter can remove. Filter ultraviolet light, and filters nants. The most common types use a molded block of exchange water softeners simultaneously remove holes are measured in certified for cyst removal. activated carbon.These filters are effective at improving the radium and barium while removing water hardness. microns. (The period at the end of this sentence is 500 taste of tap water, and some will also reduce lead, proto- Bacteria and viruses - distil- microns.) When considering zoan cysts, and many other contaminants. Like filter pitchers, lation, reverse osmosis, ultra- Certification filter size, look for an shelf lives and specific contaminants removed vary so read violet light, and disinfection. absolute (the largest hole), the label and instructions carefully. Make sure that the unit you intend to purchase can not a nominal (the average - adsorptive media address your concerns.There are three different certifi- hole), rating. EPA and CDC Distillers: Distillers heat water to the boiling point, cations to look for on the label.These organizations recommend an absolute one and then collect the water vapor as it condenses, killing Disinfection byproducts - can also assist you in selecting a device that meets your micron filter (or one labeled disease-causing microbes and leaving most chemical point-of-entry adsorptive media needs. If a home water treatment unit isn’t certified by for cyst removal) to remove contaminants behind. Contaminants that easily turn systems distillation, aeration, one of these organizations, contact the manufacturer Cryptosporidium. into gases, such as gasoline components or radon, may carbon filtration and reverse directly and ask for proof of the manufacturer’s claims. remain in the water unless the system is specifically osmosis. Some contaminants and their designed to remove them. Distilled water may taste flat Three organizations are accredited by the American size in microns: Lead - distillation, reverse to some people because the water’s natural minerals National standards Institute (ANSI), and they each certify osmosis and some carbon Giardia lamblia - 8 to 12 and dissolved oxygen often have been removed. filters. units using ANSI/NSF standards. Each ANSI/NSF stan- microns dard requires verification of contaminant reduction per- Reverse Osmosis Units: Reverse osmosis units force Nitrates - distillation, reverse formance claims, an evaluation of the unit, including its - water through a semi-permeable under pres- osmosis or . materials and structural integrity, and a review of the 4 to 6 microns sure, leaving contaminants behind. Reverse osmosis product labels and sales literature. Each certifies that home units use approximately three times as much water as - some carbon water treatment units perform to meet or exceed Bacteria (such as E. coli and they treat, but they are effective in eliminating all disease- filters. ANSI/NSF and EPA drinking water standards. ANSI/NSF ) - 0.2 to 4 microns causing organisms and most chemical contaminants. standards are issued in two different sets, one for health Radium - ion exchange, dis- concerns (such as removal of specific contaminants) and Viruses - 0.004 to 0.1 Point-of-Entry Devices: tillation or reverse osmosis. one for aesthetic concerns (such as improving taste or microns (Generally, only a appearance of water).Certification from these organizations few filters, such as ultrafilters Radon - activated carbon Adsorptive media: , , dissolved or will be tied to one or both of these specific standards. and reverse osmosis, have filter and aeration. suspended matter adhere to the surface of, or in the pores holes small enough to assure removal of all viruses. of, a material. Carbon filters use this . NSF International: The NSF Water treatment Device However, viruses can be Certification Program requires extensive product testing killed using a disinfectant). Aerators: Aerators force water to travel over air jets. and unannounced audits of production facilities.The goal Contaminants that easily turn into gases, such as gasoline of this program is to provide assurance to consumers that components and radon, are removed. Other contaminants the water treatment devices they are purchasing meet the are not.The water may be additionally filtered after it passes design, material, and performance requirements of national through this system to remove additional contaminants. standards. 6 7 EPA registration of water EPA also registers a type of filters Underwriters : Underwriters water treatment device For more information about tap water: Laboratories, Inc., is an independent, accredited testing known as a purifier.A purifier Some units have an EPA regis- must remove, kill, or inacti- and certification organization that certifies home EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline tration number and an EPA vate all types of disease-caus- establishment number. EPA water treatment units which meet or exceed EPA and ing organisms from the water, 1 (800) 426-4791 registration (unlike that of ANSI/NSF drinking water standards of contaminant including viruses. Few water NSF, WQA, or UL) is not reduction, aesthetic concerns, structural integrity, and treatment devices can meet www.epa.gov/safewater - includes drinking water intended to guide consumers materials safety. these criteria. These units standards, state certification officers for water testing, in selecting a water treat- typically work using a disin- and information for household well owners. ment device, and is not an fectant within the filter to kill Water Quality Association:The Water Quality endorsement of the product. or inactivate microbes. Most EPA registers any product Association is a trade organization that tests water purifiers are used by hikers that contains an antimicrobial treatment equipment, and awards its Gold Seal to or campers and are not gen- (germ-killing) or bacteriostatic systems that meet or exceed ANSI/NSF standards for erally needed in homes (slowing or inhibiting growth contaminant reduction performance, structural integrity, served by public water sys- of germs) agent. EPA registers and materials safety. tems unless there is a water these products because con- emergency. sumers cannot independently verify whether the germ- For more information about water EPA’s Office of related claims they make are treatment units: Programs’ Antimicrobial true. NSF International Division website provides P.O. Box 130140 additional information on For most units, an EPA regis- Ann Arbor, MI 48113-0140 EPA product registrations, tration number means that www.epa.gov/oppad001. 877-8-NSF-HELP; (877) 867-3435 the filter uses a bacteriostatic You may also contact the agent to slow the growth of www.nsf.org Antimicrobial Hotline at 703- microbes within the filter, the [email protected] 308-0127 (phone); 703-308- unit does not pose a 6467 (fax); or e-mail health threat, and EPA has Underwriter’s Laboratories, Inc. [email protected]. verified all bacteriostatic 333 Pfingsten Road claims on the label. Northbrook, IN 60062-2096 Registration is not an endorsement of the filter or (877) 854-3577 its performance. The most www.UL.com/water commonly used bacteriostatic mail to: [email protected] agent is silver. Water Quality Association 4151 Naperville Road Lisle, IL 60632-3696 (630) 505-0160 www.wqa.org [email protected]

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