Health Considerations

With the ever increasing number of water purification and filtration products, care must be taken whenever you choose a product to understand some of the potential health issues.

We have included some information about some of the metals, elements and chemicals being used in filtering, disinfect and purifying water. You should always check that with other sources of information as confirmation of the facts presented on this web site.

Iodine
Iodine is a naturally occurring element and is present in many forms. It occurs naturally in the environment. Iodine reaches our water ways through natural leaching process. It is also contained in table salt. At natural levels of concentrations, iodine is normally safe for all. It is present in sea water and well as in tap water. Two grams of concentrated Iodine can be lethal. Iodine at higher levels of consumption can cause thyroid gland related issues, such as hyperactivity. Other symptoms that may occur include, inches, bronchitis, sleeping disorders and rashes. It is also contained in many of food groups in particular, our sea food. It is in the form of thyroxin or tri-iodine thyroxin in fish, oysters, lobsters and rest of the sea food group. Iodine is used sometimes to purify water as it is a reactive and can kill bacteria and the like. As the iodine reacts it can evaporate. At right levels of human intake, iodine plays an important. Iodine role is in relation to the creation of thyroid hormones. In humans, there exists about 10-15 milligrams of iodine. It is recommended that no more than 150 micrograms.
Chlorine	Chlorine cannot be naturally found. The chlorine elements can be found in following minerals; Halite, Sylvite and Carnallite. It can be also be found in sea water as a chlorine ion. In a concentrated form it is a corrosive and poisonous element. Chlorine is classified as a halogen. Chlorine is a low level carcinogen. Chlorine is essentially bleach, it is often used to kill microorganisms. When chlorine is used to purifying water, it reacts to organic matter to form a by-products, trihalomethanes (THMs). At high levels of THMs, there is an increase risk of contracting bladder and colon cancer. It is estimated that 38% of all rectal cancers and 80% of bladder cancers are related to the THMs in water. In addition, pregnant women drinking chlorinated water have a higher risk of miscarriage. There are strong regulations on the amount of safe consumption of chlorine. It is recommended that for healthy people the maximum regulated intake is no more than 5 mg/L. Many people (Aesthetic) believe it should be no more than 0.6 mg/L. Finally, when you purchase tank fish, it stated that you need to de-chlorinise the water prior placing fish in the water tank
Chlorine Dioxide	Chlorine Dioxide, CIO2 is not a naturally occurring compound. CIO2 is a highly endothermic compound, that is, can react violently under certain circumstances. Chlorine dioxide is contained in some bleaches. It is often used in bleaching wood pulp. In many countries CIO2 is not allowed to be transported due the endothermic properties. Some water plants use it to purify water. When used in conjunction with water it reacts very quickly to form chlorite ion. Chlorine Dioxide is classified by a number of governments as one of the most hazardous compounds to the ecosystem. The recommended safe levels of for human intake are Chlorine Dioxide is 0.8 mg/ litre which is substantially lower than chlorine.
Carbon (Activated Carbon)	Carbon is a naturally occurring element. It is the fourth most abundant element. In all its allotropic forms, carbon is a very stable. Carbon has a very low toxicity and can be ingested safely. Activated Carbon is a form of carbon that has been processes to make it extremely porous. As activated carbon has great absorbing qualities, it able absorb volatile organic chemicals.
Silver	Silver is a rare basic element. Silver is used in some cases in conjunction with water filtration devices. Silver particles are bonded to parts of the water filtration device. The purpose of this practice is to stop bacterial and fungal growth as silver is a natural deterrent. The US Food and Drug Administration consider it not safe or effective against disease. The US EPA recommends that silver should not exceed 50 ppb Large dosages of silver can result in coma and hemolysis. It is believed that silver is toxic to bone marrow when taken in large dosages. Silver can has some serious side effects; Argyria. It discolors the body making it a bluish-gray and is a irreversible condition. Neurologic problems including intestinal ulcers, seizures and kidney damage May interfere with the absorption of some prescription drugs including thyroxine and penacillamine.
Copper	Copper is a naturally occurring metal. It can be found in plants, rocks, soil and water. It is used in pesticides (as a compound) to control algae. Copper is an essential element for humans at the right levels. Copper is naturally found in drinking water at a rate of less than 4 µgrams/litre. When you have excessive copper intake some of the immediate symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and nausea. In extreme cases it can cause kidney and liver damage. It is recommended that copper intake should not be more than 1300 µµgrams/litre. Copper is not normally used to filter water but rather used for it electrolytic qualities. That is, used in the electro-chemical purification process.
Zinc	Zinc is a naturally occurring mineral and can be found water and most food groups. In normal water supplies the concentration levels are around 5-10 ppb, in sea food anywhere from 3 to 900 ppm. This is well within limits of the World Health Organisation regulated limit of 5 mg/litre. In most humans, there is about 2-3 grams of zinc. Humans need to have an intake of around 2-3 grams per day to prevent zinc mineral deficiencies. Zinc deficiencies may result loss of appetite and loss taste. Overdosing on zinc is very rare. Very large dosages of zinc are required, over 4-8 grams. Some of the symptoms of zinc overdose are vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and fevers. When zinc is in a salt form in water, the water appears milky. The taste of water may not make water conducive to drink Zinc has a low toxicity for humans and is an essential mineral, at appropriate level, in humans and animal diets. It is important for the enzymatic process, DNA replication, sexual development, human hormone insulin. Zinc is often used in fungicides and insecticides. It is not classified or considered as a water hazard. Zinc is not normally used to filter water but rather used for it electrolytic qualities. That is, used in the electro-chemical purification process
Lead	Lead, Pb, is a very well known to be toxic heavy metal and very unsafe for human consumption especially for children and pregnant women. The major forms of lead intake are via our water up to 30%, through inhalation (it was common in petrochemical products, gasoline and petrol) and via our food, up to 55%. Lead is rated as a toxic pollutant and lead salts a high water hazard classification. Under stable conditions, lead does not react to water though once exposed to air, it creates a lead oxide, PbO and lead hydroxide, (Pb(OH)2). Plants, including fruit and vegetables are able to contain very unhealthy high levels lead, up to 500 ppm. That is 50 times above the recommended safe level. Most countries have outlawed lead pesticides. Lead is not known to be used in any filtration or purification processes. It typically enters into our water systems through old piping, via mining sites and through waste dumps. (paint did contain, lead as well as batteries, TV screens) Some of the symptoms and impacts of excessive lead in humans include stunt of growth in children, mental development in children, physical development of children, brain damage, colic’s, skin pigmentation, damage to kidneys, damage to the reproductive system, carcinogenic, menstrual disorder, infertility, damage to the nervous systems and red blood cells. Lead poising can lead to death. There is a direct relationship of the level of damage to the level of lead in the human body. Many of the harmful symptoms is irreversible. The regulated safe limits by the World Health Authority and US Environmental Protection Agency of lead in water is 10 ppb or 10 micrograms per litre (µg/litre). Lead does occur naturally in water and in humans. Humans have about 120 grams of lead in their body. Fresh water fish have anything from 0.5 to 1000 ppb (eat young fast growing fish), oysters have up to 500 ppb. Sea water have small traces (2-30 part per trillion litres) of lead naturally occurring.
Ozone	Ozone, O3, is a naturally occurring element and used often in the water purification disinfection process. It is one of the strongest oxidations agent available. It will bind in a sub-second to many bacteria, viruses, odors, cysts and oocysts. Ozone’s main characteristics is that has no by-products when it oxides with foreign material. It has clean characteristics. Ozone is generally very safe substance to work with a half life in water of about 30 minutes. Due to the half life, it is safe in water. At high levels of concentration, normally in an industrial environment, ozone can be harmful if inhaled. It is recommended that levels of ozone should be no higher than 0.06 ppm for period of up to 8 hours. Some symptoms of excess high concentration levels of ozone include headache, chest restrictions and dryness of the mouth and throat.

Iodine

Iodine is a naturally occurring element and is present in many forms. It occurs naturally in the environment. Iodine reaches our water ways through natural leaching process. It is also contained in table salt. At natural levels of concentrations, iodine is normally safe for all. It is present in sea water and well as in tap water.

Two grams of concentrated Iodine can be lethal. Iodine at higher levels of consumption can cause thyroid gland related issues, such as hyperactivity. Other symptoms that may occur include, inches, bronchitis, sleeping disorders and rashes.

It is also contained in many of food groups in particular, our sea food. It is in the form of thyroxin or tri-iodine thyroxin in fish, oysters, lobsters and rest of the sea food group.

Iodine is used sometimes to purify water as it is a reactive and can kill bacteria and the like. As the iodine reacts it can evaporate.

At right levels of human intake, iodine plays an important. Iodine role is in relation to the creation of thyroid hormones. In humans, there exists about 10-15 milligrams of iodine. It is recommended that no more than 150 micrograms.

Chlorine

Chlorine cannot be naturally found. The chlorine elements can be found in following minerals; Halite, Sylvite and Carnallite. It can be also be found in sea water as a chlorine ion. In a concentrated form it is a corrosive and poisonous element. Chlorine is classified as a halogen. Chlorine is a low level carcinogen. Chlorine is essentially bleach, it is often used to kill microorganisms.

When chlorine is used to purifying water, it reacts to organic matter to form a by-products, trihalomethanes (THMs). At high levels of THMs, there is an increase risk of contracting bladder and colon cancer. It is estimated that 38% of all rectal cancers and 80% of bladder cancers are related to the THMs in water. In addition, pregnant women drinking chlorinated water have a higher risk of miscarriage.

There are strong regulations on the amount of safe consumption of chlorine. It is recommended that for healthy people the maximum regulated intake is no more than 5 mg/L. Many people (Aesthetic) believe it should be no more than 0.6 mg/L.

Finally, when you purchase tank fish, it stated that you need to de-chlorinise the water prior placing fish in the water tank

Chlorine Dioxide

Chlorine Dioxide, CIO2 is not a naturally occurring compound. CIO2 is a highly endothermic compound, that is, can react violently under certain circumstances. Chlorine dioxide is contained in some bleaches. It is often used in bleaching wood pulp. In many countries CIO2 is not allowed to be transported due the endothermic properties.

Some water plants use it to purify water. When used in conjunction with water it reacts very quickly to form chlorite ion.

Chlorine Dioxide is classified by a number of governments as one of the most hazardous compounds to the ecosystem.

The recommended safe levels of for human intake are Chlorine Dioxide is 0.8 mg/ litre which is substantially lower than chlorine.

Carbon (Activated Carbon)

Carbon is a naturally occurring element. It is the fourth most abundant element. In all its allotropic forms, carbon is a very stable. Carbon has a very low toxicity and can be ingested safely. Activated Carbon is a form of carbon that has been processes to make it extremely porous.

As activated carbon has great absorbing qualities, it able absorb volatile organic chemicals.

Silver

Silver is a rare basic element. Silver is used in some cases in conjunction with water filtration devices. Silver particles are bonded to parts of the water filtration device. The purpose of this practice is to stop bacterial and fungal growth as silver is a natural deterrent.

The US Food and Drug Administration consider it not safe or effective against disease. The US EPA recommends that silver should not exceed 50 ppb

Large dosages of silver can result in coma and hemolysis. It is believed that silver is toxic to bone marrow when taken in large dosages.

Silver can has some serious side effects;
Argyria. It discolors the body making it a bluish-gray and is a irreversible condition.
Neurologic problems including intestinal ulcers, seizures and kidney damage
May interfere with the absorption of some prescription drugs including thyroxine and penacillamine.

Copper

Copper is a naturally occurring metal. It can be found in plants, rocks, soil and water. It is used in pesticides (as a compound) to control algae. Copper is an essential element for humans at the right levels.

Copper is naturally found in drinking water at a rate of less than 4 µgrams/litre. When you have excessive copper intake some of the immediate symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and nausea.

In extreme cases it can cause kidney and liver damage.

It is recommended that copper intake should not be more than 1300 µµgrams/litre.

Copper is not normally used to filter water but rather used for it electrolytic qualities. That is, used in the electro-chemical purification process.

Zinc

Zinc is a naturally occurring mineral and can be found water and most food groups. In normal water supplies the concentration levels are around 5-10 ppb, in sea food anywhere from 3 to 900 ppm. This is well within limits of the World Health Organisation regulated limit of 5 mg/litre.

In most humans, there is about 2-3 grams of zinc. Humans need to have an intake of around 2-3 grams per day to prevent zinc mineral deficiencies. Zinc deficiencies may result loss of appetite and loss taste.

Overdosing on zinc is very rare. Very large dosages of zinc are required, over 4-8 grams. Some of the symptoms of zinc overdose are vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and fevers.

When zinc is in a salt form in water, the water appears milky. The taste of water may not make water conducive to drink Zinc has a low toxicity for humans and is an essential mineral, at appropriate level, in humans and animal diets. It is important for the enzymatic process, DNA replication, sexual development, human hormone insulin.

Zinc is often used in fungicides and insecticides. It is not classified or considered as a water hazard.

Zinc is not normally used to filter water but rather used for it electrolytic qualities. That is, used in the electro-chemical purification process

Lead

Lead, Pb, is a very well known to be toxic heavy metal and very unsafe for human consumption especially for children and pregnant women. The major forms of lead intake are via our water up to 30%, through inhalation (it was common in petrochemical products, gasoline and petrol) and via our food, up to 55%. Lead is rated as a toxic pollutant and lead salts a high water hazard classification.

Under stable conditions, lead does not react to water though once exposed to air, it creates a lead oxide, PbO and lead hydroxide, (Pb(OH)2).

Plants, including fruit and vegetables are able to contain very unhealthy high levels lead, up to 500 ppm. That is 50 times above the recommended safe level. Most countries have outlawed lead pesticides.

Lead is not known to be used in any filtration or purification processes. It typically enters into our water systems through old piping, via mining sites and through waste dumps. (paint did contain, lead as well as batteries, TV screens)

Some of the symptoms and impacts of excessive lead in humans include stunt of growth in children, mental development in children, physical development of children, brain damage, colic’s, skin pigmentation, damage to kidneys, damage to the reproductive system, carcinogenic, menstrual disorder, infertility, damage to the nervous systems and red blood cells. Lead poising can lead to death. There is a direct relationship of the level of damage to the level of lead in the human body. Many of the harmful symptoms is irreversible.

The regulated safe limits by the World Health Authority and US Environmental Protection Agency of lead in water is 10 ppb or 10 micrograms per litre (µg/litre).

Lead does occur naturally in water and in humans. Humans have about 120 grams of lead in their body. Fresh water fish have anything from 0.5 to 1000 ppb (eat young fast growing fish), oysters have up to 500 ppb. Sea water have small traces (2-30 part per trillion litres) of lead naturally occurring.

Ozone

Ozone, O3, is a naturally occurring element and used often in the water purification disinfection process. It is one of the strongest oxidations agent available. It will bind in a sub-second to many bacteria, viruses, odors, cysts and oocysts. Ozone’s main characteristics is that has no by-products when it oxides with foreign material. It has clean characteristics.

Ozone is generally very safe substance to work with a half life in water of about 30 minutes. Due to the half life, it is safe in water.

At high levels of concentration, normally in an industrial environment, ozone can be harmful if inhaled. It is recommended that levels of ozone should be no higher than 0.06 ppm for period of up to 8 hours. Some symptoms of excess high concentration levels of ozone include headache, chest restrictions and dryness of the mouth and throat.

The ideal Travel Accessory – AquaSafeBottle

Thursday, October 08, 2009

ON a recent travel tour to the US, an elderly couple travelled from the west coast to ending in New York on the West Coast. It lasted for 4 ½ weeks. They had an exceptional time. What made it that much better, they didn’t get sick once unlike many of the older pensioners on the trip. Most had some form of gastro for several days. They put it down to use the Aqua Safe Bottle+. The AquaSafeBottle takes out not only bacteria to 99.9999% it also takes out protozoa’s to 99.9999% and viruses to 99.99%. Read More...

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Handy Traveling Tips for Europe

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

What to See: Backpacking Around Europe

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

When back packing around Europe for four months, as helpful my lonely planet was I found that the best advise came from fellow travellers. So thought I’d pass on my tips when considering off beat places to stay. I have written about some of my favourite places that are not exactly main cities visited by all of the tourists and contiki groups…I hope you find it useful. Read More...

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At last! A SAFE, chemical
free, drinking water filter!

Health Considerations

Iodine

Chlorine

Chlorine Dioxide

Carbon (Activated Carbon)

Silver

Copper

Zinc

Lead

Ozone

CALL US TODAY

CASE STUDIES

The ideal Travel Accessory – AquaSafeBottle

Comments

Post a Comment

Handy Traveling Tips for Europe

Comments

Post a Comment

What to See: Backpacking Around Europe

Comments

Post a Comment

At last! A SAFE, chemical free, drinking water filter!

Health Considerations

Iodine

Chlorine

Chlorine Dioxide

Carbon (Activated Carbon)

Silver

Copper

Zinc

Lead

Ozone

CALL US TODAY

CASE STUDIES

The ideal Travel Accessory – AquaSafeBottle

Comments

Post a Comment

Handy Traveling Tips for Europe

Comments

Post a Comment

What to See: Backpacking Around Europe

Comments

Post a Comment

At last! A SAFE, chemical
free, drinking water filter!