Challenges with Activated Carbon Filters
This article will address the major health and maintenance issues of popular, widely used and trusted carbon water filters.
A carbon water filter is one of the most common types of water purification system used in homes. Although they are effective in removing many harmful substances, they have a number of drawbacks that affect the quality and chemistry of the filtered water which I will cover later, but first…
There are several important reasons why carbon water filters are the number one choice for clean tap water across the country.
Aggressive marketing as a result of low manufacturing costs and extremely high profits.
The creation of false insurance about its effectiveness
Carbon filters remove many chemicals and carcinogens and are relatively inexpensive compared to reverse osmosis, deionization, and distillation, and since there is a very high profit margin, this method of water purification is preferable. Unfortunately, many of the manufacturers and/or vendors are not clear on what a carbon can and cannot do. Rather than mention what it can’t do, it will amplify and exaggerate the positive aspects of the filter. As a result, the consumer is under the false impression that their “filtered water” is now healthy.
Carbon filters are not complicated and therefore easy to install.
Most people are looking for simplicity at a great price.
It is no secret that most municipal water supplies are contaminated to some degree, however the details or facts about these contaminants or what is involved in removing them from the water is unknown to the average person. If you tell them that a carbon filter removes dangerous substances cheaper than any other method and that the water will taste and smell better, that’s enough for most people.
In fact, carbon filters remove many dangerous chemicals and carcinogens.
What about the toxins and harmful substances that the filters do not remove?
Activated carbon filtration systems do not remove microbes, sodium, nitrates, fluoride, hardness, inorganic minerals that create kidney and gallstones, lead and other heavy metals.
Activated charcoal eliminates most bad tastes and odors.
Our sense of sight, smell and taste can be easily and outright fooled!
In case you didn’t know, most of the hazardous chemicals and substances found in tap water are colorless, odorless, and tasteless. As a consequence, most people don’t care as long as the water tastes good, smells good, and looks clear.
Most filter systems use replaceable cartridges that are easy to replace.
It’s not about how easy a filter can be changed, but when to change it.
Most contaminants in water are measured in parts per million (PPM) and as these chemicals pass through the filter, they are attracted to and absorbed by the carbon. As a result, they begin to accumulate in amounts greater than what may be safe levels according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Not knowing at what point the filter is full or contains all the chemicals it can, amounts of chemicals greater than the found can be easily loosened by the pressure of the passing water. Changing the allowable PPM of certain chemicals to highly concentrated levels released into your glass.
Plugging and Channeling
Carbon filters will clog in many places, forcing water around the clog. This process continues until an unobstructed path is found through the filter. This process is called channeling. Channeling provides unrestricted flow for water and contaminants to pass through the filter, totally negating the carbon’s ability to hold contaminants. Unless there is a drastic change in the flow of the filters, you would not know that there is a serious problem or when to change the filter.
Flow rate and water pressure affect filter performance
Case in point: The most ineffective water filter on the market is the little one that plugs into your faucet spout and you push a button to make water flow through it. The primary requirement of a carbon filter is that it must be sized proportionally to the volume of water, flow rate, and pressure of the water to allow suspended contaminants to remain in contact long enough for the carbon to attract and absorb them. That tiny little filter doesn’t contain enough carbon for this to happen. The water accelerates in a fraction of a second, giving up nothing to the carbon that passed by.
Breeding ground for mold and bacteria
Another disadvantage of a carbon water filter is that it is susceptible to mold. Organic substances that are captured by the filter are capable of rotting after being trapped. Therefore, if you leave your charcoal water filter unused for long periods of time, mold is likely to grow inside. In addition to mold, a filter can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
In conclusion: The volume of carbon should be in direct proportion to the volume of water that it is expected to filter. Carbon filters are best used as pre- and post-filters for more reliable purification methods:
- Distillation
- deionization
- Inverse osmosis
Why leave in the water everything that your body does not need? Get everything out! You spend hundreds on a computer or TV that does nothing for your health or longevity, you spend a few bucks to get good, clean, pure, clear, healthy H2O.
pH
Many people have water that is too acidic. Unfortunately, a carbon water filter cannot change the pH balance of the water. The minerals that cause acidity in the water dissolve and pass directly through the filter. So if you have acidic water, it will still be acidic after it goes through the carbon water filter.
Mold
In addition to being susceptible to mold, they are also prone to clogging.
clogs
Clogs are another disadvantage of a carbon water filter. Undissolved solids often clog the filter. These clogs will reduce the normal life of the filter. If your water has a sediment problem, you’ll probably need to use a separate sediment pre-filter to prevent clogs from ruining your carbon water filter.
Harmful substances
One of the last disadvantages of a carbon water filter is that they do not remove certain harmful substances from the water. The filter will do nothing to remove harmful nitrates or toxic metals that contaminate your water. Also, a carbon water filter is unable to remove high levels of sodium and fluoride.
These are some of the disadvantages of a carbon water filter. The system requires frequent filter replacement because it will lose its efficiency over time. This type of water filter is also unable to change the pH balance of the water and remove certain harmful substances. Also, a carbon water filter is susceptible to clogging and mold if left unused for a long period of time.
