Your Brita Water Filter Isn't Removing These Contaminants

You might very well have a refrigerator water filter — and that’s smart, considering there are all kinds of contaminants lurking in your tap water. One of the more common names in water filtration is Brita. If you’ve got a Brita water filter in your refrigerator (or on your tap or in a pitcher), then you need to know: There are all kinds of particles that Brita cannot remove from your drinking water.

In this blog, we’re talking about what some of those contaminants are, why Brita filters can’t get the job done, and the type of water purification you should be looking for instead.

Wait, What is My Brita Water Filter Leaving Behind?!

To confirm what Brita can and cannot filter out, we went straight to the horse’s mouth: their website. Depending on the specific filter you’re using, your Brita product might not be removing:

• Lead.
• Mercury.
• Cadmium.
• Benzene.
• Asbestos.
• Copper.
• Zinc.
• Pesticides/herbicides.

You might see some of these things and think, “Wait, I thought that was good for me!” Indeed, in small amounts, things like zinc and copper can be good for the body. In fact, you can find them in supplement form.

However, inadvertently consuming them via your water source is not the best route to take and can be incredibly dangerous to your health.

Children, in particular, are at risk of serious health problems if they consume water with lead. Even low levels of exposure can lead to damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems, learning disabilities, shorter stature, hearing impairment, and problems with the blood cells.

 

 

Exposure to mercury can impact your brain, nervous system, and kidneys. Higher levels of exposure, while uncommon due to water, can cause irritability, nervousness, vision and hearing problems, and trouble with memory.

If you drink water containing asbestos fibers, you might experience peritoneal mesothelioma (cancer that develops in the tissue of the abdominal lining) and other abdominal challenges.

Copper in tap water can trigger an upset stomach, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Higher exposure can lead to liver and kidney damage. Extreme exposure to zinc can irritate the intestines, leading to nausea and vomiting. 

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Brita isn’t removing all the toxins, heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and fungi it needs to be. While it might make your water taste better, it’s simply like putting a bandage on a bigger problem.

How Do These Contaminants Even Get in My Water?

There are many reasons why water ends up contaminated. One big cause is the erosion of the pipes carrying the water. They’re typically made of durable metals like aluminum, iron, steel, and copper. Over time, pipes break down and can release some of these materials into the water.

Other factors might play a role, too. For instance, if you live near farms or agriculture, animal waste, pesticides, and herbicides might be finding their way into your local water system. Yuck!

Why Doesn’t My Brita Filter Work Better?

Many of Brita’s filter types simply aren’t designed to kill bacteria. While it might (might being the important word here) reduce the number of dangerous organisms in your water, it doesn’t eliminate them. So, in an ironic twist, the filter actually becomes a breeding ground for these dangerous microorganisms.

Studies have even found that Brita just can’t stand up to the task of cleaning your tap water. In fact, it might be making things worse. Research published in the European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases found that in 24 out of 34 filters used in households, the bacterial counts of the filtered water were higher. In four out of six filters tested in labs, researchers found similar results. In fact, in some cases, they found that colony counts of the filtered water were 10,000 times greater than those in tap water. The material in five out of 13 new commercial filters was already contaminated with bacteria or mold.

So, while Brita might be a household name, there’s a good chance it’s not doing much in the way of purifying your tap water. 

Now, what can you do about it?

The Absolute Best Method for Water Filtration

What does it take to produce safe, delicious, pure drinking water? 

 

 

Two words: reverse osmosis.

During this process, your tap water is forced through a semipermeable membrane — basically, a piece of material with microscopic pores that can filter out the contaminants in your water. This filter doesn’t operate on its own, though. The semipermeable membrane is typically combined with several other layers to reduce 99% of contaminants in your water.

This type of filtration is so powerful, in fact, that it nearly strips the water down to its most pure molecules.

While other filters might leave behind lead, asbestos, and pesticides, these particles don’t stand a chance against reverse osmosis. With today’s available technology, this is the most efficient way — bar none — to purify your drinking water.

Reverse Osmosis the Sans Way

How can you bring reverse osmosis into your own home?

The Sans water purifier utilizes a four-layer reverse osmosis filter, removing even the tiniest particles coming from your tap. As an additional layer of defense against pathogens, UV-C light works to disinfect and kill microorganisms, like bacteria and viruses. This means that UV-C stops these microorganisms from growing back and contaminating your filter and your water. This is an area where other types of filters commonly fall short.

You will always know how clean your water is because Sans’ water quality monitor tells you in real-time. It can instantly dispense hot water so that you can make that next cup of coffee or tea, and water will auto-dispense into the removable pitcher. The countertop design means no installation is required, and the filters last for anywhere from 12 to 24 months. 

Water is one of our most basic needs, and you should be drinking only the purest. Shop with Sans today to bring cleaner drinking water into your home.