With environmental changes and the creation of man-made products, natural resources are losing their vitality and the health benefits they initially promised.
Water, for example, cannot be consumed directly anymore. Besides containing contaminants, bacteria and what not, it also contains a dangerous chemical called Perchlorate. The EPA noted that Perchlorate is a man-made chemical salt, which was commonly used as rocket propellant, in fireworks, airbag initiators, matches, signal flares and munitions. It was also found that Perchlorate traces also exist in household cleaners, pesticides and herbicides too. Perchlorate is also a naturally occurring compound, which occurs in arid regions and is found as an impurity in salts in various areas.
When it comes to water, these deadly salts make their way to underground water sources through seepage. In open water bodies, Perchlorate finds its way through airborne means or through the soil that is already present. Unfortunately, water is an all too common way of consuming Perchlorate.
Another manner of Perchlorate exposure is living near sites like rocket launching areas and factories that create agricultural medicines (fertilizer, pesticides, etc). It also enters the food chain when crops like rice and grains are watered with water containing Perchlorate or sown in soil, which contains salt.
As impossible as it looks, there are ways to get rid of Perchlorate and inhibit it from entering your body. There are various NSF certified Perchlorate water filters that can filter out the deadly salts and harmful compounds in order to provide you and your home with clean, pure and safe water.
Although the EPA claims it “may” be a carcinogen, long term exposure to Perchlorate has shown devastating results on the human body, especially when it comes to the endocrine function. It has also implicated reproductive health of men and women, fetal health and overall well being of individuals. Because of the mortal danger it poses, several states in the United States began to put strict limitations on the levels of Perchlorate in drinking water since 2006.
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
What is Perchlorate in Drinking Water?
According to research, almost every human being has traces of Perchlorate in their blood stream. Perchlorate is a man-made salt that is used in innumerable products, increasing the chances of exposure exponentially.
One of the main ways of Perchlorate exposure is water used for consumption and usage. Because Perchlorate is added to household cleaners, tobacco, airbag initiators, fertilizers, chlorine cleaners, and so on, it manages to make its way to the water sources through surface run off, seepage or airborne means.
Even your drinking water has traces of Perchlorate because these chemical salts can easily dissolve in water. Ingesting water that contains this chemical is harmful because once it enters your stomach and intestines, it also enters the bloodstream; the chemical then passes through the kidneys and is passed through urination or feces.
Although Perchlorate passes through the organs in a few hours, that doesn’t downplay the harmful effects of this chemical. Though it’s debatable whether the compound can cause cancer, it can cause several other issues in the human body that are equally difficult to go through and require extensive, and at times, long term, treatment.
Perchlorate Health Effects:
How harmful is Perchlorate? Why Remove It From Water?
Unfortunately, Perchlorate health effects can be pretty severe. Although less dangerous than other chemicals, environmental and health agencies have said that Perchlorate is “likely” a carcinogen – a cancer causing substance. Consumed via water and food and inhalation, the exposure to Perchlorate does more harm than many other chemicals.
So how does Perchlorate affect the human body when it enters?
Perchlorate Severely Hampers the Thyroid Gland
The main area of the body, where the most harmful effects of Perchlorate can be seen, are the thyroid. Long term exposure to these chemical salts lower thyroid activity, which disrupts innumerable functions in the body. This condition is also known as hypothyroidism, which is one of the serious issues in endocrinology. Because of interrupted thyroid activity, the body suffers from various other issues that implicate vital organs and even the skin. In other words, the dysregulation of the thyroid due to Perchlorate is extremely dangerous.
The thyroid is one of the most important hormone regulators of the body, and various studies on humans and animals have noted that Perchlorate directly affects the thyroid, reducing the hormonal production, which then inhibits developmental growth. In other words, Perchlorate is deadly, and as studies have verified, it is dangerous to the thyroid gland even in low doses!
Perchlorate Affects Fetal Development
Pregnant women are afflicted twice as badly by Perchlorate. The harm to fetal health posed by Perchlorate is also a cause for alarm. With compromised fetal health, the fetus is unable to develop fully and properly. This compound is also considered a carcinogen, which means there’s a very high chance that the fetal may have mutated DNA and a high risk of contracting serious illnesses later.
Children born to mothers who have been exposed to a high amount of Perchlorate in their pregnancy period are at a risk of being born with developmental issues and endocrine issues because of Perchlorate’s ability to hamper with hormones and blood quality and also enter bodily fluids like breast milk.
Perchlorate Creates Problems In The Blood
Lower amount of blood cells have been noticed in those who are exposed to a high level of Perchlorate throughout their life. Usually, consuming more than 400g of the salt is exceptionally dangerous and can hamper the body’s ability to produce healthier and newer cells. Perchlorate, in high amounts, is severely toxic and can be harmful if a large amount enters the blood stream.
The iodide in the blood is essential for some organs to synthesize their processes, and because of Perchlorate, the blood is unable to transfer iodide, which results in more issues like bone growth, brain development, reproductive health and cardiovascular health, too.
Perchlorate Can Be Cancerous
The alarm about Perchlorate’s potential of being a carcinogen was raised when various rodent studies revealed that due to Perchlorate exposure, the rats had developed thyroid cancer. Though no such findings have been applied to humans yet, it can be assumed that it can serve as a precursor to cancer. On top of that, because Perchlorate deteriorates blood quality, the chance for mutations increases, which is exactly how cancers are caused. It must also be noted the humans share around 97% of their working DNA with rodents.
Besides posing harm to the human body, Perchlorate also harms the environment. The presence of Perchlorate in natural sources of water is not a great thing, and unaware individuals may consume it without knowing that compounds like this are present. Besides that, Perchlorate in natural water bodies also harms the land the water is found near, which affects agricultural practices and animal rearing.
How Do You Remove Perchlorate From Water?
Perchlorate unfortunately does not degrade in nature, which means it needs to be removed from water before consumption or use. However, it is impossible to go to each water source and body, measure the amount of Perchlorate there, and remove it – considering how vastly it is prevalent.
One common way to get rid of Perchlorate is by using filtration. In most household filters and filtration devices, the filters use strong activated carbon to trap the molecules and atoms of the unwanted chemicals. Because Perchlorate is a dissolvable salt, it’s essential to filter it through the activated carbon during the process so that the carbon sheet can trap the molecules and let purified water pass through.
Another way to get rid of Perchlorate from water is by using a reverse osmosis system. Perchlorate is essentially a type of chemical salt, which means it could be present in the forms of large or small particles. The reverse osmosis system was designed to clear chemicals, particles and unwanted ions and molecules from drinking water. By passing the water through a porous membrane, the reverse osmosis system is able to trap these deadly compounds and passes clean water.
In various units, an additional filter is added to double the purification process to further get rid of any remaining compounds that are deadly when consumed.
Given the health risks and problems that contaminated water is causing, a water filtration system is the most convenient, low-cost solution for lead polluted water.
While many people have adopted bottled water as their main source of drinking water, it is not a cost-effective solution. It also causes environmental degradation due to the excessive use of plastic bottles.
A water filtration system can be the best option for homeowners. Because of advanced technology, water filters have the ability to make water entirely lead free and safe.
There are many types of water filtration systems that can be installed around your home for different purposes. Some of the types from which you can choose are:
- Reverse osmosis lead water filtration system
- Countertop lead water filter
- Refrigerator lead water filter
- Under sink lead water filter
- Well lead water filter
- Whole house lead water filter
- Granulated activated carbon lead filter
These water filters can be placed anywhere in the house according to their size and functions. They are convenient as they are installed with the tap or the faucet, so you receive filtered water directly from the tap. Water filtration systems need to be changed after every six months or one year to ensure safe and clean water.
Distillation of Perchlorate From Water
Distillers are the simplest protection against perchlorate contamination in water. The process involves separating substances from a mixture by using varying temperatures. The purification occurs when the liquids boil and condense under the shifting temperature.
Although effective, this process isn’t as thorough as modern-day filtration systems. So you should consider it as your last option.
Reverse Osmosis Filtration System for Perchlorate in Water
RO systems are the most popular choice to tackle the perchlorate water situation. The systems are designed to removes minute contaminants from your water supply with the help of specialized semi-permeable membranes.
It’s a feasible option for households because RO systems can be hooked to various parts of the household. This includes under the sink water filters and whole household water filters.
Activated Alumina Adsorption Filters for Perchlorate in Water
Activated alumina effectively gets rids of traces of perchlorate, lead, fluoride, arsenic, and other impurities present in drinking water. High-quality filters can change 10ppm herbicides and pesticides levels to a minimum of 1 ppm. The system leaches the contaminants depending on how long they come in contact with the core alumina filter media.
The good thing is that installing one of these fixtures can regulate your lead consumption. Most of them improve water quality by eradicating other harmful chemicals, sediments, and other impurities in your main supply. Thus, these water filters give you free access to fresh, clean, and healthy drinking water.
It’s important to note that boiling lead from water or substituting tap water for drinking water isn’t a solution. It’s because boiling water doesn’t have any effect on the lead levels. Similarly, bottled water is often mineralized during the treatment process. That means it might contain traces of lead too.
Recommended Perchlorate Water Filters
Now that you’re aware of the dangers perchlorate water poses to your health, it’s time to be proactive and invest in a water filter that will remove contaminants and compounds alike.
Water filters for lead don’t only remove perchlorate. They remove its derivatives and other compounds that are similar to it and bind with it too. An added advantage of using water filters is that besides eradicating sources of lead, they also cleanse water from other impurities like bacteria, pathogens, viruses, metals and other harmful compounds.
In other words, water filters are lifesavers!
Best Counter Top Perchlorate Water Filter
Crown Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter
If you’re looking for the best counter top filter for Perchlorate, this amazing water filter is bound to provide you with great results. The filters are available in sizes from 1.5 gallons to 6 gallons, making them great for even the most compact kitchen spaces. Promising to filter out over 99.999% more viruses, toxins, bacteria and other harmful compounds like Perchlorate, the Berkey water filter is able to filter 6,000 gallons of water and is an NSF certified perchloarate water filter. It is definitely one of the best units out there!
The Pros:
- The unit comes in varying reservoir sizes to fit into any amount of space.
- The powerful purification system clears cysts, bacteria and particles that should not be present in edible water.
- The unit is a great cost for money and is backed by its durability and functionality.
- The unit is easy to install and doesn’t require a cumbersome set up.
- Berkey also offers additional purification elements to double the system’s purification efficacy.
The Cons:
- The unit can be a bit bulky
- There is no automatic way of knowing when the filters need changing and cleaning.
- The flow rate has been reported to be slow.
Best Pitcher Perchlorate Water Filter
Aquasana The Clean Water Machine
Wondering what the best pitcher filter for Perchlorate removal is? Say hello to the Aquasana Pitcher Filter! Proven to filter water 8 times more strongly that other products out there, this unit uses ultra dense carbon in its filters to purify the water from any kind of bacteria, virus, chemicals, carcinogens and even sediments and salts like Perchlorate. NSF certified for its sub-micron filtration system, this pitcher provides you with over 15 glasses of drinking water – all free of contaminants!
The Pros:
- The unit is designed like a pitcher to facilitate ease of use.
- The filtration and purification process is one of the strongest ones in the market.
- The unit cleans harmful salts and sediment, too.
- The pitcher is designed to maximize counter space, making it great for use at home and at the office.
- The unit comes with Bluetooth monitoring to alert when filters need changing and replacement
The Cons:
- The pitcher only comes in one size
- The capacity is limited to 15 – 16 glasses of water a day.
Best Under Counter Lead Water Filter
Aquasana 3-Stage Under Sink Water Filter
The best under sink filter for Perchlorate is this Aquasana creation, which removes over 77 contaminants, has 15 times stronger filtration power, and is NSF certified for being able to remove almost all traces of cysts, bacteria, virus, contaminants, toxins and carcinogens in drinking water. Made using Aquasana’s Claryum Filtration technology, this unit is able to provide you with clean drinking water at any time of the day. This is definitely one of the best units in the market, and it also comes with a stylish and hygienic faucet, which complements all kitchen designs and doesn’t leak.
The Pros:
- The unit is made from eco friendly material and uses minimal plastic.
- The unit uses activated carbon filters, which are 15 times stronger than the average filter.
- The system can purify over 600 gallons of water easily.
- The unit is also designed to remove and filter out any kind of salts, sediment, rust and other kinds of debris.
- The unit also consists of smart technology, which alerts users when filters need changing.
The Cons:
- The unit must be fitted in by a professional.
- The under sink area must be kept clean and dry, lest mildew and mold compromise the unit’s functionality.
Best Reverse Osmosis Lead Water Filter
Aquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis Water Filter
One of the best ways to filter out impurities from drinking water is reverse osmosis. If you’re looking for the best Reverse Osmosis for Perchlorate removal, this water filter is prepped to remove more than 87 contaminants, which include radium, chlorine, nitrates, arsenic and many more! The system removes more toxins than ever and is certified by the NSF for providing up to 13 gallons of safe, clean and drinkable water every day. Consisting of Aquasana’s Claryum technology, this unit is the best water filter in the market.
The Pros:
- The unit maintains the water’s optimum alkalinity.
- The filter eradicated over 74 common contaminants and also targets dangerous compounds like salts, lead, metal and other toxins.
- The unit also remineralizes water by infusing it with calcium, magnesium and potassium.
- The unit comprises of strong carbon filters which target stubborn molecules.
- The unit is also super easy to install and use in offices and homes.
The Cons:
- The unit is bulky and requires space.
- The system is devoid of automatic alerts so users have to manually check when filters need changing.
Best Whole House Lead Water Filter System
Aquasana Whole House Filter System
What is the best whole house filter for Perchlorate and other dangerous contaminants? Enter the Aquasana Rhino Filter! Engineered to last for 10 years and filter around 1,000,000 (one million) gallons of water, this powerful filtration system is the best one out there if you’re looking for a filter that serves many functions. The strong filtration system is NSF certified and removes innumerable toxins, chemicals, debris and contaminants from the water supply, providing your whole house with clean and safe water to consume and use. The unit also comes with a brilliant salt-free water conditioner that prevents debris and build-up in your water supply. Coupled with the carbon filters, the unit is a master filtration system for any and every kind of dangerous substance.
The Pros:
- The unit is able to run for a decade and filter out over one million gallons of water, which can be used for drinking and other household tasks.
- The unit contains a UV filter that prevents water from losing its vitality and prevents bacteria and viruses from festering.
- The system is ideal for large homes, commercial buildings and nursing homes.
- The unit is very durable and long lasting and requires minimal maintenance.
- It’s easy to install and has a quick flow rate.
The Cons:
- The unit requires professional installation
- The system also has add-ons but those need to be bought separately.
- There is no automatic way of knowing when the unit needs to be cleaned or changed.
Best Inline Refrigerator Lead Water Filter
Culligan IC-EZ-4 EZ-Change Inline Icemaker and Refrigerator Filtration System
If you’re looking for an easier and quicker way to access clean and filtered water, check out the best Refrigerator filter for Perchlorate removal, courtesy of Culligan. Designed to fit into any and every refrigerator, this water filter doubles as an ice maker, providing you with clean odorless and great tasting ice at all times. The unit also utilizes a four-step purification process, which removes contaminants, toxins, chemicals and even debris from your water supply, making it another NSF certified water filter. The drinkable water is clear of any cysts, bacteria and odor, and you have access to safe, clean water and ice at all times!
The Pros:
- The compact system fits into any refrigerator and is economical and easy to install.
- The unit is long lasting and durable and the output is devoid of any artificial colors and taste.
- The cartridges are long lasting and don’t require frequent changing.
- The mechanism has a twist on and twist off system, which is easy to use and also prevents leakage
- The 4 filtration system clears and purifies your water from even the minutest particles, toxins, metals and compounds alike.
- The system is great for use in all homes and offices.
The Cons:
- Many users have complained that the unit is not a great ice maker.
- Some clients have complained that the unit runs into leakage issues.
- The system needs to be fitted by someone who has prior knowledge of working with equipment like this.
Conclusion on Lead Water Filters
Clean water is everyone’s right – and thanks to the products listed above, it’s possible for homeowners to now take the power in their own hands and take charge of their health. With so much going on in the environment, the need to filter water before use is now imminent. Because of the Perchlorate debate, it’s important now, more than ever, to make sure that drinking water and water for other use is clean and devoid of harmful chemicals.
So say yes to good health and clean water and invest in these products for a healthier and happier you!
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