The Downside of RO Water Filters

Posted by Rolf Joho on February 22nd, 2010 filed in What Causes Global Warming

Reverse osmosis or RO water filters seem to be a dying breed. Before you buy one, educate yourself on the facts, since there may be better options available. There are a number of things that a reverse osmosis water filter will not remove when used in the home, such as chlorine, chemicals, the byproducts of chlorination and other things that are lighter or smaller than water’s molecular structure. Let’s take a look at whether RO filters are worthwhile.

RO water filters are very efficient at eliminating toxic materials like lead, rust, salt, parasites, salt, sulfates and sediments, but unfortunately, there are some negatives that go along with a RO system. RO systems only partial remove viruses and bacteria, and require other types of water purification systems to back it up. The RO filtration system actually removes too many minerals that the body needs for good functioning, longevity and health; minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium for example. If those are eliminated, then it forces the body to draw from stores in the teeth and bones.

Sometimes home reverse osmosis water filtration systems are accompanied by an added carbon filtration device. Carbon effectively removes most of the chemicals that reverse osmosis cannot. But again, still other filters are necessary to remove all of the unwanted particles. For example, chlorine byproducts can only be removed through adsorption since the chemicals are gaseous. They actually just pass right through a reverse osmosis water dispenser.

Another downside is that reverse osmosis filtration systems take up a large amount of space, as the larger units seem to be the most effective. They use electricity and require extensive maintenance. The membranes can become contaminated with algae and bacteria. In order to kill the bacteria and algae, chlorine is used, but it can damage the membrane, and replacement membranes are expensive. Hiring someone to install the system is expensive, as well as the power and water it uses. There is just no advantage to installing a reverse osmosis water system with today’s technological betterments.

It’s really hard to fathom why there are so many different types of systems available on the market today that will provide safe water for human consumption. The only places that should even bother with RO water filters are drinking water treatment and sewage facilities. The sad thing is that many of the facilities that should have reverse osmosis don’t because it is too costly to implement. Most public utilities are funded through city contracts, which sometimes use the least effective and least expensive processes available.

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Is your lunch causing global warming? Cars and factories are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions that are heating up the planet. But what you ... An article from: New York Times UpfrontThis digital document is an article from New York Times Upfront, published by Scholastic, Inc. on January 18, 2010. The length of the article is 1977 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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Title: Is your lunch causing global warming? Cars and factories are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions that are heating up the planet. But what you eat may have even more of an impact.(ENVIRONMENT)
Author: Elisabeth Rosenthal
Publication: New York Times Upfront (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 18, 2010
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Volume: 142 Issue: 8 Page: 6(6)

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