Over 200 million people globally are exposed to arsenic on a regular basis. The chronic exposure to arsenic is becoming quite common and the health effects of arsenic exposure are becoming quite apparent, too.
Arsenic is a naturally occurring metal. It’s mostly found in soil, in water bodies, pest killing chemicals and even in agricultural produce and animals that feed on land which has arsenic in its soil or has been cultivated using water that has arsenic in it. In fact, many of the grains we eat contain minute amounts of arsenic because they’re cultivated using water sources that have arsenic in them.
The largest means of ingesting arsenic is through water. Whether it’s water from a well, the ground or reservoirs, arsenic is prevalent due to the natural material around water bodies and even through airborne means. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claims that arsenic should be limited to only 10 parts per billion in water bodies and that private sources of water should be monitored because they have higher levels of arsenic than expected.
Light-weight, portable, and easily moved around the counter top
Removes 99.9999% of viruses, protozoa, TMHs, drugs and other chemicals
Safe to use, durable and long lasting
The system has been tested countless times to produce brilliant results
The filters are a bit tough to work with
Needs to be broken in properly to ensure filtering correctly
10 times stronger filtration than other leading filters in the market
Fits easily in all fridges
Offers Bluetooth connection to monitor the device and order replacement filters
Quick filtration process means you have ready to consume water in minutes
The pitcher and lids are not dishwasher safe
The capacity is limited to 16 glasses of water
The system can filter up to 600 gallons of water easily!
The faucet is durable, hygienic and meets modern interior requirement
Also removes rust, sediment, silt and other forms of debris
Constructed using an eco friendly and minimal-plastic wastage design
Maintenance is required to check for leaks
The under sink area must be kept clean at all times
Removes solids smaller than 1 micron to purify drinking water
Introduces calcium, potassium and magnesium into purified water to remineralise it
Reduces over 74 contaminants, metals, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals
Targets chlorine and ammonia via carbon filtration
Bulky system requires space
Tank needs to be maintained and kept clean
Filters an astounding one million gallon of water and is expected to last a decade
The UV filter protects against viruses and bacteria from festering and growing
Multiple filtration systems provide your whole house with clean water for all needs
Easy to install and easy to function
More expensive than smaller systems but lasts much longer
May need professional assistance depending on current plumbing
Long lasting and durable, this system can pump around 3,000 gallons of water
No cumbersome maintenance required
Filters out heavy chemicals, metals and chlorine compounds with its 4-filtration systems
One of the cheapest water filtration systems for homes and offices
May run into minor leaking issues
Easy installation nuless your fridge is over 20 years old
Arsenic also comes in two forms. The most dangerous form of arsenic is the Inorganic one. Known as a highly cancerous and toxic compound, inorganic arsenic is devoid of any carbon and is extremely dangerous when consumed. The other form, which is not so safe either, is the Organic arsenic, which is a combination of more refined molecules – however, this does not make it any safer.
Public health sectors and even individuals are now taking an active interest in their health and well being and trying to find ways to promote better health. Research and trials have been done to find mechanisms and devices that will filter out a large number of toxins from water used in homes. Luckily, as technology is advancing, homeowners are now taking charge of their water purity. Technological companies are coming up with brilliant at-home filtration systems that help homeowners filter out over 99% of arsenic and other harmful compounds and dangerous derivatives of toxins. Education has also become a great weapon in the fight against arsenic – by understanding what it is and how it enters the food chain, individuals are able to protect themselves better from the dangers of arsenic.
What is Arsenic in Drinking Water?
Arsenic in water is one of the most dangerous things to happen. Highly toxic and used in the manufacturing of herbicides, pesticides and other toxic products, arsenic and its compounds, unfortunately, find their way into the water supply. Although it’s naturally occurring and is found in soil, air, food and water, it’s not safe to consume arsenic.
There are two forms of arsenic— organic and inorganic. It is most toxic in its latter form. Public health administrations are actively working to clear arsenic from water sources though it’s almost everywhere. Arsenic is most commonly found in ground water, where it finds its way to the water through rocks, soil, chemicals, preservatives, tobacco and other things. It also reaches ground water through environmental devastations like volcanic eruptions and mining processes.
That’s not all– arsenic is also found in other water sources besides ground water. Traces of arsenic have been found in wells, lakes, reservoirs, dams and other water bodies that are exposed to chemicals and natural compounds that contain arsenic. This is especially common in rural areas, too, where arsenic levels can reach up to 3,000ppb! Arsenic is also used as an alloy in industrial processes, which means it makes its way into water bodies like lakes and ground water in the form of industrial waste.
One of the most alarming things about arsenic is that it’s odorless, tasteless and colorless, which means you won’t be able to detect its presence in water, food, fresh produce and even meat. According to research, over 7% of the wells in the United States have arsenic levels that exceed the EPA’s standard of 10ppb.
Finding out whether your drinking water has arsenic or not is not an easy feat. In fact, you’ll need to take water samples to a lab and get them tested to see if there are traces of arsenic or not. Unfortunately, boiling water doesn’t remove arsenic— nor do other chemicals. However, because arsenic health effects are pretty adverse, it’s advised to filter your water using different kinds of methods to get rid of any and every impurity that might be present. By taking your health in your own hands, there are remarkable differences you’ll notice, especially because of the dangers arsenic poses when ingested via water.
Health Effects of Arsenic in Drinking Water
Arsenic is a carcinogenic compound, which means it is deadly and can cause cancer. However, besides cancer, contact with arsenic can deteriorate human health and pave the way for a host of other health issues.
Why should arsenic be removed from water? Here are various conditions caused by arsenic that shed light on the matter.
It Causes Severe Skin Problems
Arsenic can cause several skin issues when individuals are exposed to water that has arsenic in it. Some of the most common skin problems attributed to arsenic exposure are benign Kerasotes, which can become malignant later on, Mee’s lines on the nails, hyperpigmentation, and severe patchiness of skin tone. Arsenic exposure can also lead to the appearance of dark brown patches on the skin with scattered pale spots on various large areas.
It Implicates The Nervous System
Turns out, arsenic targets the nervous system when it enters the body. The nervous system is one of the most important parts of the human body. It helps to regulate emotion, orientation and movements and is also responsible for the senses. Unfortunately, too much exposure to arsenic can cause nervous system issues like polyneuropathy, disorientation, EEG abnormalities, agitation and restlessness – issues which can develop into chronic problems later on as studies have explored.
It’s Responsible for Respiratory Issues
Around 2013, researchers found out that low exposure to arsenic can also cause lung damage. Aside from inhalation leading to lung cancer, arsenic and its compounds can irritate the mucosal passages and the nasal septum perforation by causing inflammation and erosive lesions in these areas. It can also trigger asthma and other breathing issues when individuals ingest and/or are exposed to water bodies that contain arsenic.
It Affects the Cardiovascular System
Arsenic, in any dose, is not safe for the cardiovascular system. Depending on an individual’s age, exposure and susceptibility, exposure to arsenic can cause vasodilatation, transudation of plasma, hypotension, delayed cardiomyopathy, capillary leakage, cardiac arrhythmias and even hypertension. In other words, consuming water with even the lowest amounts of arsenic can put your cardiovascular health in jeopardy.
It Harms Vital Organs Like the Liver, Kidney, Bladder and Prostate
Arsenic isn’t easy on vital organs either. Enough research has been done to prove that arsenic can cause liver disease, liver hemorrhage, liver cancer and tumors in the liver. It can also hamper the liver’s ability to detox your body. The kidney also suffers weakened function and is susceptible to cancers like the bladder and prostate, which are also prone to developing tumors when exposed to arsenic.
It Hijacks The Immune System
Arsenic exposure can greatly affect the immune system by causing immunosuppression, to name one of the adversities. Arsenic exposure can also cause inflammation and limit the ability of the immune system to fight back against threats, rendering the immune system weak. A weakened immune system is the most dangerous health risk of arsenic toxicity and exposure.
It Creates Endocrine System Issues (Diabetes)
Arsenic was discovered to be an endocrine disrupter and studies even found a correlation between arsenic exposure and diabetes. Arsenic also implicated androgens and various women suffer from fertility issues. The endocrine system is also responsible for producing hormones and chemicals, like glucocorticoids, that help your body fight cancer, regulate hormonal activity, maintain blood vessel activity and blood glucose levels, which arsenic unfortunately suppresses.
It Hampers Developmental Processes
One of the scariest dangers posed by arsenic exposure is that it hampers developmental processes. It causes fetuses to have low birth weight, toddlers to have lesser glia and neurons and disrupted neurotransmitter activities. Studies have also been done to show that arsenic has effects on memory and intelligence in growing children, and various other Neurocognitive consequences come about later in life. Over exposure to arsenic can also cause neurotoxicity, which affects healthy brain functioning, highlighting just how important it is to get rid of arsenic and other toxic compounds alike from water sources.
It Causes Cancer
Arsenic, in its inorganic and organic forms, is considered a carcinogen. Since 1985, the American Cancer Society has advocated against arsenic because of its DNA altering effects. The toxic metal inhibits healthy functioning and developing of the human body, and the following are the most common cancers caused by arsenic exposure:
- Lung
- Kidney
- Liver
- Prostate
- Bladder
- Skin
- Pancreas
- Bone marrow
In short, arsenic is not something you want to ingest orally or through the skin. The metal should be flushed out thoroughly before water is used in agricultural practices, sports activities and even in homes.
How Do You Remove Arsenic From Water?
Arsenic is a carcinogen, especially inorganic arsenic, which is mostly found in water, unlike its organic counterpart, which is found in seafood and grains. Either way, you should not ingest arsenic. So how can you remove arsenic from water?
Filtration is one of the most common ways of getting rid of arsenic and its compounds. By filtering the water you drink and use, you’re reducing your exposure to harmful chemicals and compounds like these and are also ridding your water supply of other innumerable impurities. Here are some of the most common ways through which appliances and devices remove arsenic from your water supply.
1. Reverse Osmosis to Remove Arsenic from Water
Reverse osmosis is a process in which water is forced to pass through a membrane where all the impurities and compounds are left behind. This process lets treated water pass through, and the reverse osmosis mechanism is usually installed at the starting point, which is the place where water enters the main line – this ensures that the water passing through the main plumbing grid is treated and clean.
Luckily, reverse osmosis arsenic water filtration system units are easy to procure, install and use. They only require seldom membrane changes. The unit also removes other contaminants besides arsenic, making it a popular choice for homes and offices.
2. Ultra-Filtration to Remove Arsenic From Water
With more power than other methods, the ultra-filtration process can filter out tinier molecules of arsenic and other impure compounds from your water supply. The raw water enters the unit and molecules and particles as tiny 0.2 um are trapped and removed before letting the treated water pass through.
This process is usually used before reverse osmosis to filter out the major chunk of toxins and compounds. The name ultra-filtration is self explanatory – over 99.999% of arsenic, chlorine and other dangerous chemicals are eradicated from your water supply when you invest in a mechanism using this technology.
3. Ion Exchange to Remove Arsenic From Water
Another popular mechanism that removes arsenic from water is the ion exchange. This process uses ion resin to remove various types of arsenic from water. The contaminated water is passed through the resin, which replaces arsenic and other contaminants ions with ions in the resin.
The process of using ion exchange to remove arsenic is one way to purify water for household use. It removes various forms of arsenic from water, making it usable and safe. The best part about ion exchange is that there are many varieties of resin to choose from.
Recommended Arsenic Water Filters
If you’re looking for ways to improve water purity in your home, check out the following products. Bringing the power of filtration and other means of purification in the form of compact, safe and easy-to-use units, the following products have made innumerable homes happy and healthy.
Best Counter Top Arsenic Water Filter
Crown Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter
This large water purifier is equipped with the Royal Berkey’s special Black Purification elements that purify your water from 99.9990% more viruses, bacteria, toxins and carcinogens like arsenic. Able to handle a load of 6,000 gallons, this water purifying unit is one of the best countertop filters for arsenic removal in the market and NSF certified for targeting stubborn pharmaceuticals, caffeine and harmful cysts. Available in sizes ranging from 1.5 gallons to 6 gallons, the Royal Berkey unit is definitely one of the best out there.
The Pros:
- Large capacity of holding water.
- Powerful purification system, courtesy of Berkey’s own technology.
- Economical and durable, the unit is a great cost for money and is long lasting.
- Easy to install and function; the unit doesn’t require any tedious set up.
- Additional elements are available to double the system’s purification process.
The Cons:
- The unit is pretty bulky.
- No way to know when the elements need changing or replacement.
Has a slow flow rate.
Best Pitcher Lead Water Filter
Aquasana The Clean Water Machine
The Aquasana clean water machine is the best pitcher filter for herbicides and pesticides that you can use in your home. This water filter claims to be 10 times stronger and lasts 8 times longer than other brand pitcher filters. It is a pitcher or a jug that you can place anywhere in your home. It is power-activated and forces water through the ultra-dense carbon. The filter removes 96% of the contaminants from water, including heavy metals and all sorts of herbicides and pesticides. It is available online on the Aquasana website.
The Aquasana clean water machine is the best pitcher filter for lead. It is a portable jug-like machine that can store up to one gallon of water. It is one of the trendiest designs for water filters that release water directly in your glass. It is the perfect sized system that will give you and your family lead free water as well as look good in your kitchen.
Pros:
- It removes 96% of the contaminants and bad chemicals from the water, including lead
- It also kills bacteria and cysts present in the water, making it even safer to consume
- It purifies water instantly. Tap water is directly filtered and collected in the jug
- It is power activated so you can simply control its usage
- It is long lasting and durable as it lasts up to three months
- Good value for money as it comes with a 15% discount on replacements, free shipping, and lifetime system warranty
- It is laboratory and NSF certified
Cons:
- It is not suitable for large families as it would take a while to refill the jug again and again
Best Under Counter Lead Water Filter
Aquasana 3-Stage Under Sink Water Filter
This water filter is the best under sink filter for arsenic. It removes over 77 contaminants and its filtration power is 15 times stronger than other units in the market. It is also NSF certified for removing all kinds of arsenic traces, toxins, cysts, viruses and other contaminants that can decrease water quality. Easy to use and devised using Claryum Filtration technology, this Aquasana unit provides you with clean water anytime. Definitely one of the best units out there, the durable faucet is constructed using hygienic materials and modern design.
The Pros:
- Unit is made using eco friendly material and uses minimal plastic to reduce wastage.
- Activated carbon filters filter out 15 times more contaminants.
- The unit can filter 600 gallons of water quite easily.
- Unit also removes sediment, rust and other types of debris.
- The unit also alerts users when filters need changing.
The Cons:
- The unit requires professional fitting.
- Unit must be monitored for leaks and mold.
The under sink area must be kept clean at all times to prevent mold and mildew.
Best Reverse Osmosis Lead Water Filter
Aquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis Water Filter
The best reverse osmosis for arsenic removal unit is this amazing Aquasana creation. Primed to filter out over 87 contaminants which include radium fluoride, nitrates and arsenic, this advanced water filtration system removes five times more toxins than its other counterparts. Certified by the NSF and using reverse osmosis coupled with Aquasana’s Claryum technology, this powerful system provides users with the cleanest water – up to 13 gallons a day!
The Pros:
- The unit is very easy to install and use.
- Unit improves water pH levels and keeps water at its most alkaline level.
- The unit removes dangerous metals and leads – targets arsenic and its derivatives.
- The unit also replenishes drinking water’s potassium, magnesium and calcium sources to remineralize it.
- Unit also uses carbon filtration to target stubborn toxins and removes them from the water.
- Proven to eradicate 74 common contaminants.
The Cons:
- The bulky unit requires space.
- The system does not have automatic alerts to inform when filters need changing.
- Tanks need to be cleaned and maintained for optimal results.
Best Whole House Lead Water Filter System
Aquasana Whole House Filter System
If you’re looking for the best whole house filter for arsenic, this Aquasana unit is designed to run for over ten years and filter over a million gallons of water. With technology that is twice as strong and powerful, this system removes metals like arsenic and toxins like viruses and chlorine from the water supply. It’s also designed to remove impurities and debris like rust and sediment to provide clean water for household use. The salt-free water conditioner included in the unit prevents build up and maintains water quality, post-filtering, and the active carbon filters remove the smallest of particles. Approved by the NSF and customers, this is definitely a great investment.
The Pros:
- The unit has multiple filtration systems to clean every impurity from the water.
- Contains a UV filter to the prevent growth of bacteria and viruses.
- Filters over one million gallons of water, making it ideal for large homes and commercial places.
- Very durable and long lasting.
- Easy to install and use.
- The unit filters and pumps water within minutes and has a great flow rate.
The Cons:
- The unit requires professional installation.
- No automatic way of knowing when the unit needs maintenance or when filters need changing.
- The unit comes with pricey add-ons.
Best Inline Refrigerator Lead Water Filter
Culligan IC-EZ-4 EZ-Change Inline Icemaker and Refrigerator Filtration System
The best refrigerator filter for arsenic is this creation by Culligan. Super cheap and easy to install, this unit can pump between 500 and 3,000 gallons of water and also removes all kinds of arsenic compounds, contaminants, toxins and other harmful chemicals. It is easy to install inside your fridge and provides you with clean and drinkable water at all times. It is NSF approved for filtering out harmful bacteria, cysts, viruses, and debris. The unit also produces clean, odorless and great tasting ice in a no-mess way.
The Pros:
- Economical and easy to install unit.
- Provides unlimited access to clean and drinkable water.
- The unit is long lasting and durable.
- Cartridges don’t need frequent changes and no cumbersome upkeep is needed.
- The twist on and twist off mechanism is easy and safe to use.
- The unit has 4 filtration systems and stages to clean your water and remove impurities and metals.
- Great for home use and commercial office use.
The Cons:
- The ice maker is not as efficient.
- Unit may encounter minor leakage issues.
- System needs to be fitted properly so prior knowledge is an advantage.
Conclusion on Lead Water Filters
The aforementioned products have been absolute lifesavers in the homes that they have been installed in. By providing access to clean water devoid of any arsenic or arsenic compounds, families are now able to take charge of their well being on their own terms.
Say hello to clean water!
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