Hi everyone,
WOW, that is crazy information about my beloved RO! I am so delighted that more information, resources can be provided at this time, (except for EPA, as I do not trust them) as I have Water and now Food anxiety, lol! I have a bad thyroid and infertility issues, I am sure was in part caused by fluoridation, which thankfully didn't totally calcify my pineal gland!!!!
Re: RO! I bought my home system for $2000, so I have the Reverse Osmosis connected to my kitchen sink and water dispensed via refrigerator! Also it comes with soft water filtration, using mineral salt, throughout the entire house!
The problem I failed to realize years ago when I bought this that has been bothering me lately, is that the soft water system does not revive, or (I don't think) eliminates hard metals, lead, fluoride....! I believe it only reduces or eliminates the chlorine? So now I need a shower filter, as our skin is largest organ and the amount of water consumed with one shower IS EQUIVALENT TO DRINKING TAP/BOTTLE WATER NONSTOP ALL DAY LONG!
My intuition and body is telling me to purchase something ASAP! I have been reading your posts and I am totally confused on which product to get at least expensive price that would protect me?
I think I would have been better off with just a sink and shower filter system and probably my wallet would have been better off too! There is no definitive answer anywhere I look so I was wondering if any of you could tell me if they have found an answer?????
It is hard to get used to the bland taste of RO water, as it comes out greyish and looks slightly like carbonation as it has tiny bubbles! But I find a huge difference with the water softener, as when I go elsewhere, my hands become dry! I know that there is a lot of myths to uncode, and each has many reports of benefits and negative aspects to disinformation on any site I check???? I don't know what to do?
I know you probably know this already, but I will paste it anyways! Love and Light!
Removing fluoride from drinking water. How is it done? (curezone.com)
There are three types of fluoride filter systems that effectively remove or reduce fluoride from your water: Bone Char/Brimac, Reverse Osmosis and Steam Distillation. You can find more information on Steam and Reverse Osmosis by clicking the links. On this page we'll show you about the method we most recommend: Bone Char. But first, a quick warning about a much used media that removes fluoride - Alumina.
We can not recommend Alumina for water filtration.
If the chemistry of your water isn't just right, aluminum can be leached into it. Alumina only has a three to four month shelf life and doesn't remove pesticides, chlorine or THMs. Alumina can also put a bitter taste into your water so it becomes necessary to include a carbon filter as a last stage.
What is Bone Char (Brimac)?
Bone CharBrimac is a High Calcium Bone Char made of charred animal bone. Bovine (cow) bones are taken from cold storage, thoroughly cleaned and put in sun and rain for at least 90 days and totally dried. It is then carbonized at 1472 degrees
Fahrenheit in controlled conditions. The result is Kosher Certified, 100% organic bone char made of 80% phosphate of calcium, 10% carbon and 10% calcium carbonate. It lasts a long time, has no toxicity and leaves behind beneficial minerals. There is no pH effect and it can remove chlorine, heavy metals and radioactive isotopes on top of fluoride. Bone char is considered a more effective contaminate remover than coconut because it is hundreds of times more porous and contains calcium which attract the fluoride.
Fluoride removal requires greater contact time for its removal as it is considered a dissolved solid. The calcium content in the bone is what removes fluoride. Calcium attracts the fluoride whether it is calcium or sodium-based. This is why we recommend multi-stage bone char filter systems.
Two stage systems will remove about 50% of fluoride, three stage systems will remove about 75% and four stage systems remove about 95% based on a 1.5ppm fluoride level. The fluoride removal systems are available in a countertop or undercounter configuration.
You can also install a whole house unit that will reduce or remove fluoride from every water source in your home. If your home's average water flow is 6-10 gpm then four 20" Big Blue Filters can remove up to 99.9% of fluoride. Or you can use a 1 or 2 cubic foot backwashable tank system.
Bone char will also remove most other contaminates and chlorine.
Bone Char KosherBesides fluoride, bone char is very effective at removing chlorine from drinking water. Being a highly porous medium, bone char will remove most known contaminants. We only sell Brimac High Calcium Bone Char which has an NSF61 approval through the National Sanitation Foundation. This method of filtration is used o remove or reduce lead, cadmium, mercury, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, aluminum, nickel, arsenic, radio-nuclides, fertilizers, uranium, radium, pesticides and herbicides. It is the media of choise for fish farms and has been proven to remove Malochite Green, Nuvan, Tributyl Tin Oxide, odors and turbidity. It is ideal for fluoride removal and is safe for any water application.
Beware of bone char sold under the brand name HA2 Supra L. This brand is ground very fine compared to Brimac. Even though it will remove fluoride, it does not last as long as Brimac and your filter may clog due to it being so finely ground. One would think that a finer media would have more surface area and better absorption. I believe this to be true for most media, but when we tested both the HA2 Supra L and Brimac, the Brimac lasted much, much longer and the Brimac has never clogged a filter. Brimac is a time tested brand of bone char and has been in use for many, many years.
Sugar cane and beet processors has been using bone char for over 100 years to clarify sugar. For more info about Brimac go to this link:
http://www.sandia.gov/water/2005vendors/BrimacCarbonServices.pdf
How long does bone char last?
Point of use systems can filter about 5,000 gallons of water and whole house systems can do up to about 100,000 gallons. This can vary depending on your fluoride levels but for normal use for an average family of four, you should only need to change your filters once a year.
Promolife currently uses a LaMott digital fluoride tester to determine the effectiveness of bone char and other filter mediums. Let me assure you, bone char is very effective at removing fluoride from water.
What is NSF61 Approval?
We use only Brimac High Calcium Bone Char which is NSF61 Approved. NSF61 ensures that these products do not contribute contaminants to drinking water that could cause adverse health effects.
Other Fluoride Filter Media that is or can be included in the Fluoride Water Systems
Carbon FiltersCarbon Block, or Activated Charcoal
Activated carbon is produced from charred coconut shells, pulverized into the consistency of course flour and pressed into a block. Water is pushed through the block, filtering particles as small as 0.5 microns. The carbon essentially polishes the water molecules while leaving behind organic materials, pesticides, viruses, bacteria and cysts as well as bad odors, bad tastes, giardia, cryptosporidium and asbestos. It is best used with treated municipal water and is often used in tandem with reverse osmosis, steam distillation, ozone and ultraviolet water systems. It will not remove minerals out of the water.
Carbon, or GAC (Granular Activated Charcoal)
GAC works like carbon block except the pieces of carbon are much larger. GAC is very good at eliminating bad odors and tastes. This will get rid of most contaminates but isn't as effective at removing sub-micron particles. It's ideal as a post filter and doesn't remove minerals. Often used in tandem with other systems.
KDF FilterKinetic Degradation Fluxion, or KDF
KDF is patented and proven to remove chloramine, chlorine, bacteria, iron, fungus, algae, hydrogen sulfide, most heavy metals and other contaminates. KDF is brass, made of 50% pure copper and 50% pure zinc. In water this produces an electro-chemical reaction that converts free chlorine into simple chlorides. Some of the harmful components are changes into harmless ones. KDF will remove more than 95% of chlorine before it hits your carbon filter, extending the life of the carbon by 15 times and letting it focus on other pollutants. The electrolytic field inhibits microorganisms and forms peroxide and hydroxyl radicals. KDF meets EPA and FDA standards for zinc and copper because the copper and zinc ions tend to reattach to the KDF media. It doesn't remove minerals and is best used in tandem with carbon filters for truly effective filtration.