Asbestos in Drinking Water How Asbestos Enters Water Government Regulation Detecting Asbestos in Your Drinking Water Protection Against Asbestos

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1 Asbestos in Drinking Water.. Nearly everyone is aware of the health hazards of inhaling asbestos fibers from ceiling tiles and insulation. But asbestos found in drinking water also can be hazardous to your health. Asbestos, which is a fibrous mineral sometimes used for fireproofing, has long been used to strengthen the cement used to construct water pipes. It was commonly used for this purpose until recently. Asbestos also is naturally found in some types of rocks and therefore is often found in well water and in surface supplies near mining operations. Although asbestos in drinking water is regulated today by the Environmental Protection Agency, it still can be found in drinking water across the United States, everywhere from big cities to smaller rural areas. Asbestos is known to cause several types of cancer, including mesothelioma and colon cancer. It can enter the human body by being inhaled and by being ingested through food or drink. Although it is more commonly associated with cancer when it is inhaled, asbestos is still dangerous when it is ingested because most inhaled asbestos is eventually coughed up and swallowed. How Asbestos Enters Water Asbestos enters water in several ways. Many water sources naturally contain asbestos, and standard filtration is not completely effective at removing it. The chemistry of the water also affects how much asbestos enters the water. The more corrosive the water, the more likely it is to liberate asbestos fibers. As water travels through asbestos-cement pipes, corrosion can free small fibers from the walls of the water pipes, which are then carried by the water to your tap. When water municipalities detect asbestos in the water, they can alter the water chemistry accordingly to reduce corrosiveness, much as they do to prevent corrosion of lead. Government Regulation The EPA requires regular testing for the presence of asbestos fibers in tap water and has set an MCL (maximum contaminant level) of 7 million fibers longer than 10 microns for asbestos in drinking water. Detecting Asbestos in Your Drinking Water Asbestos cannot be detected by our senses. The best way to determine its presence is to ask the waterworks for a copy of their latest tests. If you have a private well, inquire at the state or county health department or environment office about local soils. Special tests for asbestos are unfortunately not worthwhile, because analysis costs several hundred dollars per sample. Thus, if there is any cause for suspicion, it is more cost effective to buy a filter than to conduct a test. Protection Against Asbestos The best way to protect yourself against asbestos is to remove it from the water. This can be done easily by a point-of-use (POU) water filtration system certified for Asbestos Reduction by NSF International under Standard No. 53: Health Effects. NSF International is an independent testing agency that sets product standards for

2 manufacturers of POU systems. A POU system is a simple and cost-effective way to protect yourself from asbestos and many other water contaminants. Typically the size of a household fire extinguisher, POU systems designed for residential use are installed under the kitchen sink and are plumbed from the cold water line. The filtered water is served through a dedicated faucet to dispense water for drinking and cooking. Commercial systems are larger in size due to their increased capacity, and are usually wall-mounted near the incoming water line. Everpure manufactures drinking water systems for both home and commercial use that are NSF-Certified to remove at least 99 percent of asbestos fibers. Everpure's unique precoat filtration process reduces or removes off-tastes and odors, chlorine, dirt, rust, parasitic protozoan cysts such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia, and 99.9 percent of particles 1/2 micron and larger in size. Everpure, Inc., a leading manufacturer of water filtration systems for residential and commercial use, offers a full line of systems to meet all water quality needs.

3 Chlorine Use By Municipal Water Systems. Chlorine is widely used by municipal water systems to disinfect water from bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that cause diseases. In fact, approximately 75 percent of the municipal water systems across the United States use chlorine. Diseases such as typhoid fever and cholera that are easily spread through infected water have virtually been wiped out in the United States because of chlorine use. What is Chlorine? Chlorine is one of the chemical elements, noted for its great power as an oxidizing agent. When dispersed in air, it was a terrible war gas. When dissolved in water, "free chlorine" attacks everything it touches, creating chemical byproducts with every reaction. Free chlorine is also produced by adding common laundry bleach to water. Some of the by-products still retain a little oxidizing power, and these are called "combined chlorine." One of them, called monochloramine, is often used by waterworks as a long term stabilizer against bacterial growth in the mains, after primary disinfection has been completed inside the treatment plant. It takes longer to kill bacteria and viruses than to react with individual molecules, so disinfection cannot be considered complete until all of the combined chlorine has been oxidized, leaving "Free Available Chlorine" (FAC). In this Issue of Water Quality, we will be discussing only free available chlorine. Effects of Chlorine Despite its usefulness in disinfecting drinking water, there are problems associated with chlorine. Chlorine use can cause aesthetic water quality problems like a "swimming pool" taste and odor. Far more alarming are some studies that link chlorine by-products with bladder, colon and rectal cancer. One study shows that people who drink chlorinated water run a 21 percent greater risk of bladder cancer and a 38 percent greater risk of rectal cancer than people who drink water with little or no chlorine. One by-product is trihalomethanes (THMs). THMs are formed when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in water, like decayed leaves. THMs (like chloroform) have been linked to a higher rate of cancer and have been classified as probable or possible human carcinogens by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Research also indicates that many other volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) are also often present in water that has been treated with chlorine. History of Chlorine and Water Treatment Chlorine was first used to disinfect water in the United States in the early 1900s. At the time, outbreaks of cholera and typhoid fever spread by the water system were common and severe. In fact, major U.S. cities were suffering 100 or more typhoid deaths per 100,000 persons. Within 10 years after chlorine was introduced into the water system, the death rate fell dramatically. Since then, chlorine has been a primary means of chemically treating water. In the mid-1970s, research determined that VOCs, including chloroform and the other THMs, were present in drinking water that was treated with chlorine. Subsequent tests revealed that these compounds were not found in the same water prior to chlorine disinfection. Consequently, in 1979 the EPA set a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 0.1 milligrams per liter for THMs. Recognizing the need to completely eliminate THMs from drinking water, the EPA has set a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) of zero for THMs. An MCLG is simply a target point, not an enforceable limit. This standard applies only to water treatment systems serving more than 10,000 people, which covers

4 about 79 percent of the U.S. population. For further protection, the EPA is in the process of establishing a rule which further reduce the limits on the amount of disinfectants and disinfection by-products that can be present in municipally treated water. In the meantime, many municipal water systems are continuing to use chlorine to disinfect water. Detecting Chlorine in Your Water Determining whether chlorine is present in your water is sometimes as simple as smelling or tasting your water. If your water smells or tastes like a swimming pool, the cause of that smell or odor most likely is chlorine. To be certain if chlorine is used in your water system, call your local health department or water provider. Sometimes, however, chlorine is not as easily detected. To know for certain whether chlorine is present, have your water tested. Your local water supplier or state health department should be able to provide you with the name of a certified water testing laboratory in your area. Testing for chlorine alone is not expensive, but the average cost for a complete water test varies, depending upon the number of contaminants you wish to test for. However, a good general test for most common contaminants usually can be conducted for less than $150. Reducing Chlorine In Your Water While there is no way to prevent the addition of chlorine in your municipal water supply, there is a way to remove or reduce chlorine and chlorine by-products from your water before you drink or cook with it. This can be done simply and cost effectively with a point-of-use (POU water filtration system certified by NSF International for the reduction of chlorine, THMs an VOCs. NSF is an independent testing agency that sets product standards for manufacturers of POU systems. Typically the size of a household fire extinguisher, POU systems designed for the consumer are installed under the kitchen sink and the filtered water is served through a dedicated drinking water faucet. Commercial systems are large in size due to their increased capacity and are typically wall-mounted near the incoming water line. As water travels through the POU system, sediment, particles, bacteria and harmful chemicals are removed by the system's main ingredient (most frequently activated carbon). Activated carbon is an extremely porous material that attracts and holds harmful contaminants in the water through a process known as adsorption The result is better tasting and cleaner water with fewer contaminants. Recently a new filtration material which also removes chlorine very well has entered commerce. A simple copper-zinc alloy, it is readily oxidized by chlorine, but it does not have the great adsorptive surface area of activated carbon. Depending on the model, PO systems are capable of correcting most water problems, including chlorine removal; the reduction of lead, toxins, THMs, VOCs and asbestos and the removal of parasitic cysts such a Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Everpure manufactures many different filtration systems which are Class I Certified by NSF International for the removal of disinfectant chlorine from the incoming water supply.

5 Heavy Metals in Drinking Water.. "Heavy Metal" in the water treatment field refers to heavy, dense, metallic elements that occur only at trace levels in water, but are very toxic and tend to accumulate. Most heavy metals are too rarely found in water to justify government regulation at all, but a few have been given Maximum Contaminant Limits (MCLS) and MCL Goals by the Environmental Protection Agency. These include:! Cadmium occurs mostly in association with zinc and gets into water from corrosion of zinc-coated ("galvanized") pipes and fittings.! Antimony occurs mostly in association with lead, where it is used as a hardening agent. It gets into water from corrosion of lead pipes and fittings, but even then it is rarely detectable. More antimony is found in food than water.! Barium is chemically similar to calcium and magnesium and is usually found in conjunction with them. It is not very toxic and is only rarely found at toxic levels. However, it is common at low levels in hard water areas.! Mercury is notorious as an environmental toxin, but it is not a big problem in water supplies. That's because it is found only at very low levels in water. Certain bacteria are able to transform it into methyl mercury, which is concentrated in the food chain and can cause malformations.! Thallium is as toxic as lead or mercury, but is extremely rare and not often a problem in water.! Lead is the most significant of all the heavy metals because it is both very toxic and very common. It gets into water from corrosion of plumbing materials, where lead has been used freely since Roman times. In addition, lead can be found in the solder used to join copper pipes, and in fittings and faucets made from brass. Copper and Lead are regulated together because both are commonly used in plumbing materials and because they are corrodible, even though copper is not very toxic. A few tenths of a ppm of copper is common and not a problem, but if as much as 1.3 ppm or 15 ppb lead is detected in tap water, the waterworks is required to modify the water chemistry to make it less corrosive. Detecting Heavy Metals in Your Water Heavy metals cannot be detected by sight, smell or taste. If you are concerned with heavy metals in your drinking water, you should have the water tested by a reliable chemical laboratory. First, request a copy of the most recent analysis done by the local waterworks agency, which is required by law to test and report to the state EPA annually. In addition, the waterworks agency is required to notify you if their own testing for lead and copper shows even a hint of a problem with corrosion of plumbing materials. If you have a private well, call the county environment or health office and ask if your region has any history of heavy metal problems in ground water. It is usually not necessary to test for them unless there is a history of problems. All but the newest buildings contain lead-based plumbing materials, so everyone should test for lead unless they have been explicitly informed by the local waterworks agency that the water system does not have a problem with lead. Consult the telephone Yellow Pages or ask the county health/environment office for a list of state-approved labs. A complete analysis for all heavy metals could cost more than $100, but most labs have a special $15 - $25 price for a lead test. You will need to send

6 the lab samples of water from the tap. Take the water sample from the tap after an extended period of stagnation, such as overnight. Try to include two samples: one containing the very first water drawn from the tap, and one sample containing water after about 30 seconds of running. Remedies If you find that heavy metals are present at significant levels in your water, here are some things you can do: Flush the pipes. If the problem is corrosion of plumbing materials (lead, copper, cadmium), simply run the water for seconds before using it. This may be all that is needed in small buildings with simple plumbing systems. If the problem is corrosion of plumbing materials (lead, copper, cadmium), most of the corrosion by-products will be tiny particles that can be removed by filters which have high efficiency for fine (sub-micron) particles. If the filter is not certified for this, you should test the filtered water for lead to be sure it works properly. But it is better to buy a certified point-of-use device. Many point-of-use products of several types have been tested and certified by NSF International for reduction of one or more heavy metals. These are guaranteed effective over a wide range of conditions. Typically the size of a household fire extinguisher, POU systems are installed on the cold water line to a single faucet or outlet. They are designed for consumer use and are installed under the kitchen sink. Commercial systems are larger in size due to their increased capacity and are typically wall-mounted near the incoming water line. As water passes through the POU system, sediment, particles, bacteria and many unwanted chemicals are removed by the system's main ingredient, activated carbon. Activated carbon is an extremely porous material that attracts and holds harmful contaminants in the water through a process known as adsorption. Everpure manufactures several different filter systems designed for residential and commercial use, which are Certified by NSF International to remove up to 99 percent of lead. NSF is an independent testing agency that sets product standards and certifies the performance of POU systems. Everpure's unique pre-coat filtration process reduces or removes off-tastes and odors, chlorine, dirt, rust, parasitic protozoan cysts such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia, asbestos fibers, and virtually all particles 1/2 micron and larger in size. Everpure, Inc., a leading manufacturer of water filtration systems for residential and commercial use, offers a full line of systems to meet all water quality needs.

7 Particles in Drinking Water.. Although water may appear to be clear, it always contains many microscopic particles, some of which can make water taste funny and even be dangerous to your health. There are many types of particles, and the tiniest sub-micron sized particles may number in the millions per milliliter of water. Some of the more common particles that may be present in drinking water include cysts of parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium, asbestos fibers, bacteria, precipitates of heavy metals including lead, and "turbidity," which refers to particles smaller than wavelengths of light, causing cloudiness. Cysts Cysts are the infectious form of parasites that can cause sickness including cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. The most common cysts in water are Cryptosporidium and Giardia. These parasites are encased in a leathery shell and incubate in the intestines for several days before causing sickness. In the last 10 years, there has been an increasing number of cryptosporidiosis outbreaks across the United States. Cryptosporidium is especially dangerous to individuals with weakened immune systems, such as AIDS and cancer patients. Asbestos Asbestos fibers enter water from the walls of the water-main piping that carries water from the municipality to your home or building. Asbestos was commonly used in the construction of water mains until recently. Asbestos also is naturally found in some types of rocks and therefore is often found in water supplies near mining operations. Bacteria There are literally millions of different types of bacteria. While most types are harmless, some are dangerous. Bacteria are one-celled organisms and are present in everything from water to food, and can be found on objects we touch everyday. Bacteria are the cause of some serious diseases, such as cholera, that plagued villages and towns centuries ago. Thanks to modem sanitation methods, many of these diseases have been greatly reduced or eliminated in the United States. Heavy Metals High levels of cadmium, mercury and lead in drinking water can cause nerve damage, mental retardation, birth defects and cancer. These occur in water as corrosion products, which are mostly particles of metal oxides or carbonates. Lead is especially dangerous to young children and pregnant women because it is so toxic and so common. Turbidity Turbidity refers to the cloudy appearance of water caused by particles of suspended matter, such as clay, debris from plants, animals and biofilms and limescale. In addition to affecting the look and taste of water, particles can build up and eventually clog working parts of water-using appliances such as ice makers and coffee makers. Often turbidity build-up can cause more trouble than limescale. Adsorbed Materials Often very small particles are attracted to larger particles in water, where they become permanently attached. This process is known as adsorption. For example, adsorption causes viruses to stick to pieces of clay or rust, causes fully dissolved heavy metal ions to stick to floating asbestos fibers, and causes poorlydissolved clumps of chlorinated hydrocarbons such as PCBs and many insecticides to

8 stick to specks of dirt suspended in water. By removing the larger or host particle, the other particles are removed as well. Removing Particles From Your Water POU systems designed for the consumer are typically the size of a household fire extinguisher. They are installed under the kitchen sink and dispense filtered water through a dedicated drinking water faucet. Commercial systems are larger in size due to their increased capacity and are typically wall-mounted near the incoming water line. It is important to look for a model that is certified by NSF International. NSF is an independent testing agency that sets product standards and certifies the performance of POU systems. Everpure manufactures drinking water systems for both home and commercial use that are NSF Certified to remove a variety of contaminants. Everpure systems use a combination of mechanical filtration and adsorption with MicroPure, a unique blend of filtering materials containing mostly powdered activated carbon that provides 40 times finer filtration than other drinking water systems. The result is effective removal of at least 99.9 percent of all particles 1/2 micron and larger in size - about as large as one particle of cigarette smoke - plus reduction of many carbon-absorbable contaminants. For more than 60 years, Everpure has been a leading manufacturer of water filtration systems for residential and commercial use.

9 Polyphosphates and Scale Control.. Scale is solid material that builds up on the surfaces of water-using kitchen equipment such as coffee makers, automatic ice makers, dishwashers and instant hot taps. This build-up causes serious problems, including diminished water quality and taste, clogged water lines and shorter life of appliances. Scale also can cause equipment to use up to 25 percent more energy to heat or cool water properly. The most common scale material is lime scale. Originating as limestone in the ground, the material dissolves in water, and the calcium carbonate crystallizes again when conditions change in foodservice equipment and household appliances. There are measures that can be taken to help prevent or reduce scale formation and extend appliance life. The most effective remedies are special filtration systems and stabilizing chemicals called polyphosphates, which inhibit the growth of scale crystals. Causes of Scale Build-Up Every water supply has some dissolved mineral content. Rainfall, for example, dissolves minerals when it falls to the ground. Limestone, the most common mineral, is dissolved by rain and produces "hard" water. The longer water is in contact with the ground, the more minerals are dissolved in it and the harder it gets. Even fresh lakes and streams that may be quite "soft" at their origin can become hard from evaporation. Many water-using appliances, from coffee makers and ice makers to commercial vending machines and cheese dispensers, are susceptible to lime scale build-up that can result in repeated maintenance and high energy costs. In the Home In the home, scale build-up can affect the performance of coffee makers, ice makers and instant hot taps and produce film in shower stalls and clog shower heads. Scale forms directly on heat-transfer surfaces, such as the bottom and sides of a coffee pot, and even on the heating elements themselves. On heating elements, scale acts both as an insulator and heat mirror, requiring more energy to heat the water and causing the heating elements to burn out more quickly. Scale also can clog the openings and pipes in instant hot taps. In addition to surface growth, scale also forms around tiny particles floating in water. They act as "nuclei" to attract scale. Removal of these specks of dust can prevent or delay a lot of scale formation. Refrigerators with automatic ice makers and water through the door also are affected. As water becomes ice, the minerals present in the water become concentrated, and scale begins to form on the cooling element. This results in ice maker breakdowns. What's more, scale can form on the water dispensing unit in the door. In Restaurants and Foodservice Businesses Many of the same scale problems that plague home kitchens are magnified in foodservice operations because of the volume of water used in these applications. In addition to coffee makers and instant hot taps, steamers are among the most susceptible equipment for scale build-up. As water boils and evaporates, minerals remain and become concentrated. Because of these high concentrations, steamers require specialized maintenance and frequent cleaning.

10 Commercial cuber-type ice makers require more service to correct scale build-up than any other equipment commonly used in foodservice. Like steamers, commercial ice makers leave a high concentration of minerals as most of the water becomes ice. The resulting residue is a murky mixture full of sediment and growing crystals that restricts tubes, fouls pumps, clogs orifices, scores valves, and causes ice to hang in clumps. Scale can often leave foodservice managers with higher energy expenses to produce less ice, and frequent and costly machine breakdowns. The Power of Polyphosphates Fortunately, scale growth can be reduced by adding small amounts of polyphosphates to water. Polyphosphates are completely safe and nontoxic, and many occur naturally in foods or are added during processing. They are also used in the treatment of drinking water to combat corrosion and scaling. At high concentrations, polyphosphates combine with minerals but stay dissolved to produce "soft" water. At moderate levels, polyphosphates cause all of the hardness to precipitate as sludge, also producing "soft" water. Only small amounts of polyphosphates are used in drinking water. The addition of very small amounts of polyphosphates to water is referred to as "threshold treatment," and it works in two ways, simultaneously. First, the polyphosphates work on surfaces by clinging to growing scale, inhibiting further growth. Second, polyphosphates prevent or inhibit the clumping of suspended particles, such as growing scale crystals. When combined with fine filtration to remove most of the smaller particles that serve as "nuclei" to initiate crystallization, the threshold method dramatically reduces scale build-up. The threshold method, adopted by many water municipalities, must be carefully controlled to maintain effectiveness. Because of the high degree of control needed for maximum results, it is not consistently reliable when employed on a large scale. Steps for Eliminating Scale Most scale-producing situations can be resolved more effectively with a point-of-use water treatment system that couples fine filtration and a polyphosphate feed. Everpure, Inc. produces many systems meeting these specifications for home use, vending and office applications, and commercial foodservice. Drinking water treatment units certified by NSF International under Standard No. 42: Aesthetic Effects and Standard No. 53: Health Effects, also guard against other water contaminants, such as lead and parasites. NSF International is an independent "third party" testing agency that sets standards for products that can affect sanitation and public health. Units designed for residential use are typically the size of a household fire extinguisher. They are installed under the kitchen sink and dispense filtered water through a dedicated drinking water faucet. Water treatment units for commercial operation are larger to accommodate higher volume water usage. For scale that has already formed, Everpure has available an alternative to the traditional solution of using strong acids to remove scale. ScaleKleen TM will delime most waterusing equipment used in foodservice applications and at home. Since the product is more

11 gentle than most acids, maintenance costs for foodservice equipment parts are less, no protective clothing is needed, and drain disposal is safe. For more than 60 years, Everpure has been a leading manufacturer of water filtration systems for commercial and residential use and offers a full line of systems to meet all water quality needs.

12 Taste, Odor and Color in Drinking Water.. Off-tastes and odors are common water quality problems across the country. They are caused by a variety of factors, the most common of which is chlorine. Keep in mind that tastes and odors will vary from tap to tap and are influenced by personal likes and dislikes. Common Taste and Odor Problems:! Chlorine taste and odor: If your water smells or tastes like a "swimming pool," it is probably due to chlorine that has been added to disinfect the water. Chlorination is the most commonly used water treatment method. Although chlorine is very effective at killing harmful bacteria and viruses, it frequently causes both an off-taste and odor. The addition of ammonia to produce monochloramine (which lasts longer in the pipes) makes the taste and odor even worse.! Rust and metallic tastes: Excessive iron, manganese and other metals in drinking water change the taste and appearance of water. They may be naturally occurring or produced by corrosion. Although water is usually rust-free when it leaves the treatment plant, it can pick up rust and other metals from corroding pipes en route to your tap. Untreated water from private wells often contains iron and manganese in "reduced" form, which is fully dissolved until slowly oxidized by oxygen in the air. Such water will appear clear at first, turning either rusty (iron) or blackish (manganese) and cloudy in a few minutes. The same delayed reaction can happen with corrosion, too, if the problem is nearby.! Musty, earthy and fishy tastes and odors: These tastes and odors are caused by algae, molds and bacteria that naturally live in most water sources, such as lakes and rivers. These off-tastes and odors may be stronger during certain times of the year when algae "bloom" all at once.! Rotten egg smell: This is caused by hydrogen sulfide in water, produced by bacteria in deep wells and in low-use stagnant water mains. When combined with iron, the iron sulfide stains are black. It is also highly corrosive, so other problems may accompany the smell.! Off-colors and staining: Water that is brownish in color can be caused both by the tea-like extracts of dead leaves and by corrosion by-products, such as iron and manganese. This water is unpleasant tasting and looking, and can also stain sinks and laundry. Organic color and staining usually occur in areas with poor drainage, and sometimes it combines with iron to form "heme iron,"' which is difficult to remove.! Hardness: This term refers to water that has picked up minerals such as calcium and magnesium, as it traveled through certain types of rock and soil. Approximately 85 percent of the country has hard water. Hard water also leaves a sticky film on shower tiles and inhibits the lathering ability of soaps and detergents. Extremely hard water also has a distinctive off-taste to it, although moderate amounts taste good to most people. Reducing Off-Tastes and Odors In Your Drinking Water Most off taste and odor problems are easily solved with a point-of-use (POU) water filtration system containing

13 activated carbon. Activated carbon is a highly effective tool in water filters because it has enormous surface area and is highly porous - one pound of activated carbon has the surface area of more than 100 acres. The activated carbon surface attracts and holds tiny particles and molecules such as those that cause the most common tastes and odors - chlorine and "musty, earthy, mildewy and fishy" tastes and odors. Better systems also can reduce other water contaminants that pose serious health threats, such as trihalomethanes and other volatile organic chemicals, lead, and parasites like Cryptosporidium. Unfortunately, activated carbon filters are not the answer to all taste, odor, and color problems. When time and the dissolved oxygen level in the water permit, iron and manganese from wells and corrosion areas will be changed to insoluble forms that are easily removed by good mechanical filters. However, it often is necessary to use small chlorinator pumps or special filters with oxidizing media in front of the mechanical filters to oxidize the iron or sulfite quickly. This is always required for naturally-occurring hydrogen sulfide in well water, but in municipal systems with dead-end pipes, the remedy is simply for the city to flush out the pipes with fresh, oxygenated water from time to time. POU systems designed for the consumer are typically the size of a household fire extinguisher. They are installed under the kitchen sink and dispense filtered water through a dedicated drinking water faucet. Commercial systems are larger in size due to their increased capacity and are typically wall-mounted near the incoming water line. It is important to look for a model that is certified by NSF International. NSF is an independent testing agency that sets product standards and certifies the performance of POU systems. Everpure manufactures drinking water systems for both home and commercial use that are NSF Certified to remove contaminants that can cause off tastes and odors. Everpure precoat systems use Micro-Pure, a unique blend of filtering materials containing mostly powdered activated carbon that provides 40 times finer filtration than other drinking water systems. The result is effective removal of particles down to 1/2 micron and larger in size - about as large as one particle of cigarette smoke - plus removal of carbon-absorbable contaminants. For more than 60 years, Everpure has been a leading manufacturer of water filtration systems for residential and commercial use.

14 The Dangers Of Cryptosporidium In Drinking Water.. The word crypto means hidden or secret, and the word spore means seed or germ. Therefore, Cryptosporidium literally means "hidden germ." To residents of Milwaukee, Wis., the roots of this strange word were driven home in April 1993 when the city suffered the largest outbreak of cryptosporidiosis ever recorded. More than 370,000 people suffered from the disease, which causes flu-like symptoms such as severe stomach cramping, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. At least 47 residents died. The culprit was Cryptosporidium, a waterborne parasite delivered to unsuspecting residents through the city's water supply - a water supply that met all current standards for water quality and was believed to be safe when it left the water treatment plant. What is Cryptosporidium? Cryptosporidium parvum is a waterborne parasite encased in a leathery shell, or oocyst, and causes severe flu-like symptoms when ingested. Once ingested, the walls of the oocysts are softened by the digestive fluids in the stomach and small intestine. Four tiny protozoa emerge and immediately being to reproduce and infect the intestinal lining. This process impairs the small intestine's ability to absorb water and nutrients, which causes the infected person or animal to expel the oocysts through diarrhea and vomiting. It is estimated that an infected person produces 100 million oocysts a day. In the last 10 years, there has been an increasing number of cryptosporidiosis outbreaks in the United States. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cryptosporidium can be found in virtually any surface water source. Unfortunately, the EPA still does not yet require municipal water systems to test for Cryptosporidium. Effects of Cryptosporidium The Cryptosporidium parasite incubates during a 2 to 12 day period, followed by a 10 to 14 day illness period that can sometimes last as long as six months. Cryptosporidium can cause anyone who ingests the infected water to become ill. Nobody is immune at first, but a healthy person will eventually recover from cryptosporidiosis. However, for individuals with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly, infants, chemotherapy patients, organ transplant recipients and AIDS patients, cryptosporidiosis can be fatal, as the parasite also can infect other organs. The result is extreme malnutrition and dehydration. The only treatment is to let the infection run its course and drink plenty of fluids to restore electrolyte balance to the body. How Water Becomes Contaminated Cryptosporidium is usually connected with poor sanitation. It is a common and difficult problem in developing countries and ranks as a leading cause of diarrheal illness worldwide. According to one theory, the Milwaukee outbreak was caused by water runoff from a nearby farm or slaughterhouse that was contaminated with Cryptosporidium from animal intestines or feces. The runoff traveled into the Milwaukee River and then into Lake Michigan, where it eventually entered one of Milwaukee's lake water intake pipes. Contaminated water sometimes passes freely through water treatment plants because Cryptosporidium is not readily killed by chlorine, and filtration may be ineffectual or nonexistent. What's more, the standard tests that water purification plants routinely rely on to indicate biological contamination do not pick up the presence of Cryptosporidium. In fact, during the Milwaukee outbreak, the municipal water treatment plant met all safe water standards for disinfection and filtration.

15 Protection Against Cryptosporidium Unfortunately, Cryptosporidium is one of the most resistant parasites to water chemical treatments ever encountered. This makes treating water for Cryptosporidium very difficult. The parasite responds somewhat to chlorine but only in high doses, and it is resistant to many commonly used hospital and laboratory disinfectants. To date, it seems Cryptosporidium can be removed only by filtration, and many municipal filtration plants are not efficient enough to take them out. Fortunately, there is a solution. One alliterative for protection is a point-of-use (POU) water filtration system Certified by NSF International for the Cyst Reduction, including Cryptosporidium oocysts. A POU system is a simple and cost effective way to protect yourself from Cryptosporidium and other water contaminants. NSF International is an independent testing agency that sets product standards for manufacturers of POU systems. NSF-Certified drinking water systems filter out at least percent of particles between three and four microns in size. Cryptosporidium oocysts range in size from four to seven microns. Typically the size of a household fire extinguisher, POU systems designed for residential use are installed under the kitchen sink and plumbed to the cold water line. The filtered water is served through a dedicated faucet to dispense water for drinking and cooking. Commercial systems are larger in size due to their increased capacity, and are typically wall-mounted near the incoming water line. As water travels through the filtration system, cysts such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia, sediment, submicron sized particles, most bacteria and many harmful or unwanted chemicals are removed by the system's active ingredient, which most frequently is activated carbon. Activated carbon is an extremely porous material that attracts and captures many harmful contaminants on its surface through a process known as adsorption The result is better tasting and cleaner water with fewer contaminants. Depending on the model, POU filtration systems are capable of correcting most water problems, including the removal of parasitic cysts such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia; the reduction of chlorine, chloramines, lead, pesticides, trihalomethanes (THMs), volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), and asbestos. Everpure, Inc., a leading manufacturer of water filtration systems for residential and commercial use, offers a full line of systems to meet all water quality needs.

16 The Effects of Radon in Water Supplies.. Radon is a familiar airborne menace, but many people may not be aware of the radon dangers that may also exist in drinking water. Radon, an invisible gas that occurs nearly everywhere on earth, is one of America's most significant environmental risks, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. While radon is more harmful to your health when inhaled, it also can be damaging when consumed through drinking water. Radon is second only to cigarette smoking as a leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and is estimated to contribute to 13,600 lung cancer deaths each year. In addition, approximately 200 cancer cases per year result from exposure to radon from public groundwater systems. What is Radon? Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is colorless, odorless, tasteless and chemically inert. It is emitted by the decay of uranium in the earth's crust and is dangerous because it is radioactive. Exposure to radon occurs primarily through radon gas in the soil and underlying rocks seeping up into a home or building through cracks in the foundation or unsealed masonry of concrete blocks. If untreated radon can accumulate to dangerous levels, especially in basements. Appropriate ventilation is the best way to prevent the situation from becoming critical. While the EPA estimates that water sources make up only about five percent of a home's total radon exposure, radon that seeps into household water can also pose serious health risks. Effects from radoncontaminated water can be manifested in two ways. The first threat comes from drinking the affected water which can lead to cancer of internal organs, specifically the stomach and kidney. The second danger comes from inhaling radon released into air from tap water as it is drawn from the spout, such as when showering, washing hands and cleaning dishes. Lung cancer can result from inhaling radon. Radon enters water systems through the soil and surrounding rock of a water supply. It also can enter a water system through cracks in water pipes either in the municipal distribution system or in the home or building. Only water supplies serving more than 15 residences or 25 people are bound by maximum Radon levels of 300 pci/l proposed by the EPA. (pci/l = pico-curies per liter. A Curie is the radioactivity from one gram of pure Radium, and pico is a prefix meaning one-trillionth.) Radon content in groundwater may actually range anywhere from less than 100 pci/l to occasionally more than 1,000,000 pci/l. Levels of 1,000-5,000 pci/l are fairly common. The federal Safe Drinking Water Act requires the EPA to regulate the amount of radon present in public drinking water supplies. However, according to the EPA, there are an estimated 27,000 water systems across the United States that exceed the proposed maximum contaminant level (MCL), particularly in smaller systems. Detecting Radon in your Water If you are concerned about radon in your water, contact your local water utility and ask for a copy of the latest report to the State EPA. If you have a private water supply, your water is not regulated by the EPA so you will need to have the water tested yourself. Your county or state health department should be able to provide you with the name of a certified water testing laboratory in your area. Removal Of Radon From Drinking Water Since a person can be exposed to radon both through contaminated drinking water and inhaling radon gas emitted from water during general use, it is important to remove radon at the point of entry, the source that supplies

17 water to the entire house. A "GAC bed" (granular activated carbon) is used to remove radon from water as it enters the building. Unlike any other water treatment system, the unit used to remove radon never needs to be replaced because its capacity to adsorb radon is virtually infinite. If the unit contains at least two or three cubic feet of carbon with a water flow rate of about five to seven gallons per minute, the system will settle into an equilibrium between adsorption and disintegration, to prevent radioactive radon and its radioactive "daughters" (polonium, bismuth and lead) from escaping. However, over time, radioactive buildup of these elements does develop in the GAC bed. Shielding the bed with a foot of plain water is the most common remedy for buildup problems. For example, a 12-inch GAC bed should be placed in a 36-inch barrel filled with water. Everpure, Inc., a leading manufacturer of water filtration systems for residential and commercial use, offers a full line of systems to meet all water quality needs.filtration systems for residential and commercial use, offers a full line of systems to meet all water quality needs.

18 The Facts About Lead in Drinking Water.. The presence of lead in drinking water is more prevalent and serious than many people realize. Despite common perceptions, lead is not restricted to inner-city communities, but rather is a problem that affects many water systems across the country. According to an Environmental Protection Agency study released in 1993, more than 800 drinking water systems around the nation contain excessive lead. Today, the EPA estimates that more than 40 million Americans are exposed to potentially dangerous amounts of lead in their drinking water. Recent legislation has helped decrease the problem. In 1991, the EPA imposed new standards for lead levels in drinking water that are 10 times more protective than levels previously thought to be safe. The new standard allows for a lead level of no more than 15 parts per billion (ppb). Current studies, however, show that lead levels in our drinking water continue to be too high. What's more, new research indicates that lead may be more harmful than previously thought. Who Is At Risk People of all ages are at risk. Studies show that young children, infants and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to unsafe lead levels. The EPA estimates that one in six American children under the age of 6 has elevated lead levels in their blood. Lead is especially dangerous to children and pregnant women because it can impair a child's mental and physical development, reduce a baby's birth weight and cause premature birth. Prolonged exposure to increased lead levels also can cause aggressive behavior, hyperactivity and learning problems. In adults, increased lead levels have been linked to high blood pressure and damaged hearing. Serious lead poisoning can lead to blindness, brain damage and mental retardation. How Lead Gets Into Your Water Drinking water comes from one of two sources: surface water, which is rainwater and melted snow that collects in streams, lakes and reservoirs; and groundwater, which is pumped from wells in bedrock and soil. Water is virtually lead-free as it leaves these sources and is processed through the municipal water treatment plant. It is during its journey from the water treatment facility to your tap that lead can leach into the water. Water travels from the treatment plant to your neighborhood through large service mains under streets, and then through smaller connectors and service lines to your house or building. Even if the water main pipes are lead-free, the connectors, service lines and pipes within your home or building are likely to contain some lead, either in the pipe itself, or in the solder used to connect copper pipes. Even some brass and chrome-plated faucets leach lead into the water. Water chemistry helps to increase the presence of lead. Lead is more likely to leach into water that is acidic, has a low mineral content and sits in contact with the lead for a long time. It is less likely to dissolve into hard water, which has a high content of dissolved minerals that over time, can coat the inside of pipes, preventing lead from entering the water. In response to the growing lead problem in water, Congress in 1986 restricted the lead content of faucets, pipes and other plumbing materials to 8 percent and banned the use of lead solder containing greater than 2 percent lead. Even with these restrictions, aggressive waters can still leach out dangerous amounts of lead in a few hours. Many homes and buildings constructed before this time are likely to have even more lead in their plumbing system. Research shows that many of the faulty systems tend to be in older communities, such as those in larger cities in the East Coast and Midwest.

19 Detecting Lead In Your Water Lead cannot be seen, tasted or smelled in drinking water. The best way to determine if it is present is to have your water tested. Your local water supplier is required to test the overall system and inform you if as few as 5% of the samples exceed 15ppb lead. If you want to take samples in your home or business, either your supplier or the state health department should be able to provide you with the name of a certified drinking water testing laboratory. Or check the Yellow Pages under "laboratories." Be sure the lab is state-certified. They generally provide their own bottles and instructions for taking samples. The cost of a water test varies, depending upon the number of contaminants you wish to test for. However, a good general test for most common contaminants usually can be conducted for less than $150. A test for lead alone should cost $15 - $30. If your test results show that your water has a high concentration of lead, there are a few things you can do to help reduce your family's lead intake. Steps for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water! Let the cold water run for a few minutes before you use it for drinking or cooking, especially if the water faucet goes unused for more than six hours. Water that stands in pipes for several hours is more likely to contain lead.! Use cold water when cooking and preparing baby formula. Hot water can dissolve lead more quickly than cold water.! Have pipes inside your home and those connecting your home to the water service main inspected by a licensed plumber. Removing Lead from Water While government legislation has helped reduce lead levels in water, the best solution for protecting yourself from lead is to remove it from the water. This can be done simply and cost effectively with a point-of-use (POU) drinking water filtration system Certified for Lead Reduction by NSF International, an independent testing agency that sets standards for products that can affect public health. Typically the size of a household fire extinguisher, POU systems are installed on the cold water line to a single faucet or outlet -- a water cooler or fountain, or a kitchen or bathroom sink. As water passes through the POU system, many contaminants, both particulate and dissolved, can be dramatically reduced, depending upon the design and media used. Lead contamination can be both dissolved and particulate, so POU systems must be able to handle both. Distillation and reverse osmosis can the do the job alone, but filter systems always require a combination of adsorption or ion exchange or molecular sieves, supplemented with fine filtration. Everpure manufactures several different filter systems designed for residential and commercial use, which are Certified by NSF to remove up to 99% of lead from drinking water. These systems are NSF Certified for Class I Taste and Odor and Chlorine reduction, and Particulate Reduction.

20 The Presence of Bacteria in Drinking Water.. Bacteria are the most numerous organisms on the planet. There are literally millions of different types of bacteria. They are one-celled organisms and are present in everything from water to food, and on objects we touch every day. What's ironic about bacteria is that they are among the smallest organisms on earth, and yet, they can cause some of the greatest problems. We come in contact with millions of bacteria every day, and nearly all are harmless. However, some types of bacteria are very harmful, especially those from sewage, even when present in small amounts. Bacteria are the cause of some serious diseases, such as cholera, that plagued villages and towns centuries ago. Thanks to modem sanitation methods, many of these diseases have been greatly reduced or eliminated in the United States. Unfortunately, less developed countries that do not have effective sanitation systems are still affected by diseases caused by bacteria and viruses from sewage. Most people develop an immunity to common bacteria at an early age. However, people with damaged or undeveloped immune systems, such as newborns, the elderly, AIDS patients, and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, are less resistant to disease and are more apt to become sick as a result of bacterial infections. Bacteria found in drinking water come from several sources. The most common source is the soil surrounding the water system. Once inside the system, these soil bacteria colonize every available surface, where they grow and then continually slough off into the water thereafter. In addition, bacteria can get into water during construction and repair of water lines, and through cracks in pipes when water pressure fluctuates. Municipal water systems check for harmful bacteria levels on a regular basis. Since it is impractical to test for all bacteria, they test instead for the main sewage organism, called E. coli. If E. coli is present in water, it means that harmful sewage contamination has occurred. Larger water municipalities conduct this test many times each day. Bacteria can be described as either pathogenic or non-pathogenic, meaning whether or not they can cause disease. Pathogenic bacteria can overcome the body's natural defenses and invade healthy tissues. In addition, "opportunistic" or "secondary" pathogens are those that can cause an infection when an unusual opportunity, such as an open wound or suppressed immune system, presents itself. Very few types of bacteria are pathogenic. Following are some types of pathogenic bacteria found in drinking water:! Salmonella - the cause of most food-poisoning.! Shigella - causes bacterial dysentery.! Vibrio organisms - cause of human cholera, an extremely serious disease which can be rapidly fatal if not treated quickly and carefully. Fortunately, sanitation and disinfection practices have been so effective that there has been no water-borne cholera in the United States for at least 50 years.! Yersinia enterocoliticia - common in cold, clear mountain streams and causes mild diarrhea.! Campylobacter bacteria - lives in the stomach and intestines of humans and animals. One type causes stomach ulcers. Although not likely to cause illness, nonpathogenic bacteria can cause other problems in drinking water.! Iron Bacteria - found in particles of iron, common in soil and surface water. They are a major cause of pipe corrosion.