faq_glossary

Chlorine:

Used to kill life forms in the water, chlorine is a recognized carcinogen.

We are now entering into a period of increased water shortages. As reservoirs lower, water suppliers add more chlorine. This is because the numbers of micro-organisms in a reservoir do not decrease as water levels drop. They simply become more concentrated. Dosage will be lifted above recommended maximums due to the necessity of containing disease through micro-organism increases. During a drought, one can even smell chlorine gas from outside taps. Chlorine in drinking water has been linked to increased incidence of bladder and rectal cancers by Harvard University and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Chlorine is also linked to body protein damage. It causes dry skin and hair, and burns the eyes. If you suffer from asthma, sinus problems, allergies, skin rashes or emphysema chlorine in your water may well exacerbate your condition.

Chlorine kills bugs, but it also reacts with the organic matter in water, creating potentially toxic new substances. One such substance, trihalomethane, is far more carcinogenic than chlorine itself. It has been known by the water treatment and chemical industries for many years that chlorine reacts negatively with natural organic compounds. These industries call these compounds DBPs (disinfection by-products) which are known to cause cancer in populations whose drinking water contains them. THM, the most commonly known DBP, is known to cause a high incidence of bladder cancer and also to cause spontaneous abortion of fetuses. Quality H2o units all remove 99.99% of chlorine from your tap water.

The US EPA labels Mutagen X ...another chlorine byproduct and seen as the 'single largest contributor' to the ability of municipal water to cause genetic mutations.

Chloramines In excess of EPA's standard can cause stomach discomfort or anemia.

Chlorine Dioxide Some infants and young children who drink water containing chlorine dioxide in excess of accepted standards may experience nervous system effects. Similar effects may occur in fetuses of pregnant women who drink water containing chlorine dioxide in excess of the standard. Some people may also experience anemia.

Fluoride Most USA water supplies now add fluoride. USA's EPA has set an enforceable drinking water standard for fluoride of 4 mg/L (some people who drink water containing fluoride in excess of this level over many years could get bone disease, including pain and tenderness of the bones). EPA has also set a secondary fluoride standard of 2 mg/L to protect against dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis, in its moderate or severe forms, results in a brown staining and/or pitting of the permanent teeth. This p roblem occurs only in developing teeth, before they erupt from the gums. Children under nine should not drink water that has more than 2 mg/L of fluoride.

Mic robes Coliform bacteria are common in the environment and are generally not harmful. However, the presence of these bacteria in drinking water is usually a result of a p roblem with the treatment system or the pipes which distribute water, and indicates that the water may be contaminated with germs that can cause disease. Fecal Coliform and E-Coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Mic robes in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. Our Pre-filtration combined with our KDF mixture remove and destroy these mic robes.

Turbidity This has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for mic robial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. The Per-filters on all our units reduce and even eliminate turbidity.

Micro-organisms These include germs, amoeba, parasites, cysts and viruses. In my experience chlorine does not fully eliminate these organisms. During our recent local drought, even though chlorine levels were drastically increased, local health practitioners reported a rash of parasitical infection. . Our Pre-filtration combined with our KDF mixture remove and destroy these micro-organisms.

Filtration level Is important for exclusion of parasites. Although nothing higher than one micron will exclude Cryptosporidium and Guardia, it requires a filtration of less than 0.1 micron to exclude viruses. Few people realize that flu viruses are carried on birds that migrate from Asia. These birds settle in our reservoirs, and outbreaks follow. The KDF in our systems disrupt the cellular structure of the viruses and thus destroy the parasites.

Cryptosporidium This is a parasite that enters lakes and rivers through sewage and animal waste. It causes cryptosporidiosis, a mild gastrointestinal disease. However, the disease can be severe or fatal for people with severely weakened immune systems. EPA and CDC have prepared advice for those with severely compromised immune systems who are concerned about Cryptosporidium. Our Pre-filtration combined with our KDF mixture remove and destroy the Cryptosporidium.

Guardia Lambdia Is a parasite that enters lakes and rivers through sewage and animal waste. It causes gastrointestinal illness (e.g. diarrhea, vomiting, cramps).

Inorganic Contaminants These include Antimony, Asbestos, Barium, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Cyanide, Mercury, Nitrates, Nitrites, Selenium, Thallium.

Lead Very few water systems can remove lead; fortunately the Quality H2o systems do. Lead typically leaches into water from plumbing in older buildings. In the US, Lead pipes and plumbing fittings have been banned since August 1998. Children and pregnant women are most susceptible to lead health risks.

Synthetic Organic Contaminants, including pesticides & herbicides:

2,4-D
2,4,5-TP (Silvex)
Acrylamide
Alachlor
Atrazine
Benzoapyrene
Carbofuran
Chlordane
Dalapon
Di 2-ethylhexyl adipate
Di 2-ethylhexyl phthalate Dibromochloropropane
Dinoseb
Dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD)
Diquat
Endothall
Endrin
Epichlorohydrin
Ethylene dibromide
Glyphosate
Heptachlor
Heptachlor epoxide Hexachlo robenzene
Hexachlorocyclopent
Lindane
Methoxychlor
Oxamyl [Vydate]
PCBs [Polychlorinated biphenyls]
Pentachlorophenol
Picloram
Simazine
Toxaphene

Disinfection Byproducts Disinfection byproducts form when disinfectants added to drinking water to kill germs react with naturally-occurring organic matter in water. These may include:

Haloacetic Acids. Some people who drink water containing haloacetic acids in excess of EPA standard over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

Bromate. Some people who drink water containing bromate in excess of EPA standard over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

Chlorite. Some infants and young children who drink water containing chlorite in excess of EPA's standard could experience nervous system effects. Similar effects may occur in fetuses of pregnant women who drink water containing chlorite in excess of EPA's standard. Some people may experience anemia.

Volatile Organic Compounds May combine with other contaminants to form new toxic substances. These include:

Benzene
Carbon Tetrachloride
Chlo robenzene
o-Dichlo robenzene
p-Dichlo robenzene
1,1-Dichloroethylene
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene trans-1,2-Dicholoroethylene
Dichloromethane
1,2-Dichloroethane
1,2-Dichloropropane
Ethylbenzene
Styrene
Tetrachloroethylene 1,2,4-Trichlo robenzene
1,1,1,-Trichloroethane
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Trichloroethylene
Toluene
Vinyl Chloride
Xylenes

MTBE Is a fuel additive, commonly used in the United States to reduce carbon monoxide and ozone levels caused by auto emissions. Due to its widespread use, reports of MTBE detections in the nation's ground and surface water supplies are increasing. The Office of Water and other EPA offices are working with a panel of leading experts to focus on issues posed by the continued use of MTBE and other oxygenates in gasoline. EPA is currently studying the implications of setting a drinking water standard for MTBE. All of the Quality H2o units remove MTBE to levels well below EPA Maximums.

Copper . Lead may be a p roblem in older homes where lead solder was used to join copper pipes. If the water supply is acidic, it will eat away at the lead - and copper - overnight, so that your first water in the morning may hold high levels of both minerals. For this reason it is always a good practice to run the tap for a minute or so before using the filter first thing in the morning. ALL of the units provided by Quality H2o remove lead to levels below EPA maximums.


		Glossary Chlorine: Used to kill life forms in the water, chlorine is a recognized carcinogen. We are now entering into a period of increased water shortages. As reservoirs lower, water suppliers add more chlorine. This is because the numbers of micro-organisms in a reservoir do not decrease as water levels drop. They simply become more concentrated. Dosage will be lifted above recommended maximums due to the necessity of containing disease through micro-organism increases. During a drought, one can even smell chlorine gas from outside taps. Chlorine in drinking water has been linked to increased incidence of bladder and rectal cancers by Harvard University and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Chlorine is also linked to body protein damage. It causes dry skin and hair, and burns the eyes. If you suffer from asthma, sinus problems, allergies, skin rashes or emphysema chlorine in your water may well exacerbate your condition. Chlorine kills bugs, but it also reacts with the organic matter in water, creating potentially toxic new substances. One such substance, trihalomethane, is far more carcinogenic than chlorine itself. It has been known by the water treatment and chemical industries for many years that chlorine reacts negatively with natural organic compounds. These industries call these compounds DBPs (disinfection by-products) which are known to cause cancer in populations whose drinking water contains them. THM, the most commonly known DBP, is known to cause a high incidence of bladder cancer and also to cause spontaneous abortion of fetuses. Quality H2o units all remove 99.99% of chlorine from your tap water. The US EPA labels Mutagen X ...another chlorine byproduct and seen as the 'single largest contributor' to the ability of municipal water to cause genetic mutations. Chloramines In excess of EPA's standard can cause stomach discomfort or anemia. Chlorine Dioxide Some infants and young children who drink water containing chlorine dioxide in excess of accepted standards may experience nervous system effects. Similar effects may occur in fetuses of pregnant women who drink water containing chlorine dioxide in excess of the standard. Some people may also experience anemia. Fluoride Most USA water supplies now add fluoride. USA's EPA has set an enforceable drinking water standard for fluoride of 4 mg/L (some people who drink water containing fluoride in excess of this level over many years could get bone disease, including pain and tenderness of the bones). EPA has also set a secondary fluoride standard of 2 mg/L to protect against dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis, in its moderate or severe forms, results in a brown staining and/or pitting of the permanent teeth. This p roblem occurs only in developing teeth, before they erupt from the gums. Children under nine should not drink water that has more than 2 mg/L of fluoride. Mic robes Coliform bacteria are common in the environment and are generally not harmful. However, the presence of these bacteria in drinking water is usually a result of a p roblem with the treatment system or the pipes which distribute water, and indicates that the water may be contaminated with germs that can cause disease. Fecal Coliform and E-Coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Mic robes in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. Our Pre-filtration combined with our KDF mixture remove and destroy these mic robes. Turbidity This has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for mic robial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. The Per-filters on all our units reduce and even eliminate turbidity. Micro-organisms These include germs, amoeba, parasites, cysts and viruses. In my experience chlorine does not fully eliminate these organisms. During our recent local drought, even though chlorine levels were drastically increased, local health practitioners reported a rash of parasitical infection. . Our Pre-filtration combined with our KDF mixture remove and destroy these micro-organisms. Filtration level Is important for exclusion of parasites. Although nothing higher than one micron will exclude Cryptosporidium and Guardia, it requires a filtration of less than 0.1 micron to exclude viruses. Few people realize that flu viruses are carried on birds that migrate from Asia. These birds settle in our reservoirs, and outbreaks follow. The KDF in our systems disrupt the cellular structure of the viruses and thus destroy the parasites. Cryptosporidium This is a parasite that enters lakes and rivers through sewage and animal waste. It causes cryptosporidiosis, a mild gastrointestinal disease. However, the disease can be severe or fatal for people with severely weakened immune systems. EPA and CDC have prepared advice for those with severely compromised immune systems who are concerned about Cryptosporidium. Our Pre-filtration combined with our KDF mixture remove and destroy the Cryptosporidium. Guardia Lambdia Is a parasite that enters lakes and rivers through sewage and animal waste. It causes gastrointestinal illness (e.g. diarrhea, vomiting, cramps). Inorganic Contaminants These include Antimony, Asbestos, Barium, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Cyanide, Mercury, Nitrates, Nitrites, Selenium, Thallium. Lead Very few water systems can remove lead; fortunately the Quality H2o systems do. Lead typically leaches into water from plumbing in older buildings. In the US, Lead pipes and plumbing fittings have been banned since August 1998. Children and pregnant women are most susceptible to lead health risks. Synthetic Organic Contaminants, including pesticides & herbicides: 2,4-D 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) Acrylamide Alachlor Atrazine Benzoapyrene Carbofuran Chlordane Dalapon Di 2-ethylhexyl adipate Di 2-ethylhexyl phthalate Dibromochloropropane Dinoseb Dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) Diquat Endothall Endrin Epichlorohydrin Ethylene dibromide Glyphosate Heptachlor Heptachlor epoxide Hexachlo robenzene Hexachlorocyclopent Lindane Methoxychlor Oxamyl [Vydate] PCBs [Polychlorinated biphenyls] Pentachlorophenol Picloram Simazine Toxaphene Disinfection Byproducts Disinfection byproducts form when disinfectants added to drinking water to kill germs react with naturally-occurring organic matter in water. These may include: Haloacetic Acids. Some people who drink water containing haloacetic acids in excess of EPA standard over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Bromate. Some people who drink water containing bromate in excess of EPA standard over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. Chlorite. Some infants and young children who drink water containing chlorite in excess of EPA's standard could experience nervous system effects. Similar effects may occur in fetuses of pregnant women who drink water containing chlorite in excess of EPA's standard. Some people may experience anemia. Volatile Organic Compounds May combine with other contaminants to form new toxic substances. These include: Benzene Carbon Tetrachloride Chlo robenzene o-Dichlo robenzene p-Dichlo robenzene 1,1-Dichloroethylene cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene trans-1,2-Dicholoroethylene Dichloromethane 1,2-Dichloroethane 1,2-Dichloropropane Ethylbenzene Styrene Tetrachloroethylene 1,2,4-Trichlo robenzene 1,1,1,-Trichloroethane 1,1,2-Trichloroethane Trichloroethylene Toluene Vinyl Chloride Xylenes MTBE Is a fuel additive, commonly used in the United States to reduce carbon monoxide and ozone levels caused by auto emissions. Due to its widespread use, reports of MTBE detections in the nation's ground and surface water supplies are increasing. The Office of Water and other EPA offices are working with a panel of leading experts to focus on issues posed by the continued use of MTBE and other oxygenates in gasoline. EPA is currently studying the implications of setting a drinking water standard for MTBE. All of the Quality H2o units remove MTBE to levels well below EPA Maximums. Copper . Lead may be a p roblem in older homes where lead solder was used to join copper pipes. If the water supply is acidic, it will eat away at the lead - and copper - overnight, so that your first water in the morning may hold high levels of both minerals. For this reason it is always a good practice to run the tap for a minute or so before using the filter first thing in the morning. ALL of the units provided by Quality H2o remove lead to levels below EPA maximums.