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The Best Shower Filter

Justin Thomas — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 16:45:00 +0000

If you only want to remove free chlorine and other impurities from your water, I recommend getting a Sprite Shower Filter. This is one of the few showers filters that will remove most free chlorine from your shower.

If you want to remove both chloramines and chlorine from your shower, I recommend a vitamin-C based shower filter, like the Sonaki In-Line Filter

This combination filter is also available — it incorporates a sediment filter and a Vitamin C filter into one unit.

The Details

Almost all popular shower filters available today only remove 20% – 80% of free chlorine (not total combined chlorine) from your shower. This includes shower filters that are certified by the NSF #177 Standard — unfortunately this standard only indicates that a filter will remove 50% of free chlorine in the water.

Also, many cities now treat water with chloramines instead of chlorine. There are no conventional shower filters that will remove more than a small amount of chloramines from your shower. The only way to remove chloramines is to use a Vitamin-C based shower filter which are only made in Korea and Japan.

Why Filter Your Shower?

Because your skin absorbs substances while showering. Typically, 60% of the chlorine that most people absorb daily comes from showering in chlorinated water. Chlorine damages your hair and skin.

Shower water also contains things like heavy metals and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Ideally, all these things should all be filtered out, but filtering water at the showerhead is problematic, because the water is typically hot and under high pressure, making filtration difficult. Carbon filters, which are normally excellent at remove chlorine, cannot handle the volume and heat of shower water.

Because of these problems, most shower filter makers rely on a metallic medium called KDF. Shower filter vendors typically show impressive charts to demonstrate long-term removal of chlorine. However, if you read the tests carefully, you’ll see that they apply to “free chorine” (chlorine that has not combined with other constituents in water), and the reality is that KDF-filters have little effect on “total chlorine” (combined chlorine). In fact, chlorine is often added at the water plant as a blend with ammonia called “chloramine.” KDF is not effective at removing chloramine or combined chlorine.

Here are the details on my recommended shower filters:

Vitamin C Shower Filters

Vitamin C shower filters are very effective in removing chlorine and chloramines from shower water. Chloramine or NH₂Cl (a combination of chlorine and ammonia) is now commonly being used in place of chlorine for disinfection, but chloramines are not easily removed from water. Carbon filters are virtually useless in showers, because they do not work when the water is warm, and they also get clogged fairly quickly. KDF filters also don’t perform well in hot water, and they don’t remove chloramines. However, Vitamin C filters can remove chloramines effectively from water. To back this up, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission now states on their website that only Vitamin C can be used to remove chlormaines from municipal water. Here is the quote from the Commission:

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has recently been included in AWWA Standard (AWWA, 2005b) as one of the methods for dechlorination of disinfected water mains. SFPUC and other utilities have used Vitamin C for dechlorination prior to environmental discharges of chlorinated and chloraminated water. Since ascorbic acid is weakly acidic, the pH of water may decrease slightly (Tikkanen et al., 2001). Ascorbic acid has been used for a long time as one of the dechlorinating agents for preservation of chlorinated or chloraminated water samples for laboratory analysis.
The full document can be found here.

Vitamin C filters are simple in design — they contain a solid block of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and water runs through the filter and comes into contact with the Vitamin C. The Vitamin C neutralizes about 99% of the chlorine and chloramines in the water, and their effectiveness does not diminish until the Vitamin C is completely used up.

My recommendation for a Vitamin C showerhead is the Sonaki In-Line Filter

The filters last about 2-4 months before they need replacing, depending on how many showers you take. The filter is transparent, so you can see when the Vitamin C has run out.

Refills for the Sonaki filters are priced at $37 for 5 filters.

Sprite HOB-CM Brass Shower Filter

If you are just interested in removing free chlorine and sediment from your water, my recommendation is to use a Sprite Shower Filter. This filter is NSF Certified to standard #177 for shower filtration. It removes most free chlorine and some combined chlorine, sediment, hydrogen sulfide, iron oxide. Besides the fact that it does not remove chloramines, this is pretty good filter, and it is constructed with brass instead of the usual plastic.

The filter comes with a one year warranty, it is rated to filter 20,000 gallons or last 12 months, which ever comes first. It should be flipped half-way through the year. If the O-ring on the filter breaks, Sprite will replace it for free.

You can get the Sprite Shower Filter on Amazon for around $48.

See also my review of low-flow shower heads — these shower heads can be used in conjunction with these filters.

The post The Best Shower Filter appeared first on Reactual.

How Standalone HEPA Air Filters Work

Justin Thomas — Thu, 05 May 2016 16:25:14 +0000

We’re all keenly aware of air pollution. If you ask someone about it, they might point to the smoggy haze that hangs over Los Angeles, fumes from a smokestack at an industrial site, or smoke from a burning pile of leaves. What many fail to consider is that, even in the cleanest home, air pollution exists indoors as well. Indoor pollutants can result in irritation to the lungs, and contribute to worsening symptoms of allergies and asthma. Standalone HEPA air filters are an increasingly popular way to combat indoor pollutants.

While most people dust and vacuum on a regular basis, these efforts may just be moving the dirt around rather than removing it from your environment. To effectively remove air–polluting irritants from the home, many are turning to HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) air purifiers. This guide will explain what standalone HEPA air filters are, how they work, and what kinds are on the market today.

Environmental Pollutants

Common dirt particulate, invisible to the naked eye, include dust mite debris, bacteria, plants spore, mold and smoke, typically measured in microns of .5 to 100 microns. A micron is equivalent to 1/25,000th of an inch. A human hair is typically 50–100 microns. HEPA air filters are effective in trapping dirt as small as 0.3 micron. HEPA filters are typically composed of a non–woven synthetic fiber. Some HEPA filters may be made of glass fiber. HEPA filters traps dirt in four ways:

Impaction: As air flows through the filter, particles larger than 0.5 microns are propelled forward by the force of the air where they impact and stick to the surface of the filter.

Diffusion: Tiny particles of less than 1 micron are so light that rather than flowing with the air, they diffuse through the air. Because these tiny particles don’t follow the air path around the filter, the particles penetrate the fiber and become trapped.

Interception: Mid–range particles are not heavy enough to be inert, but are not light enough to be defused through an air stream. These particles will follow the air stream as it circulates the filter, and they are trapped in the filter as they pass by it.

Sieving: Sieving occurs when filter fibers are closely spaced together and particles cannot fit through the air space between the filter fibers, so they become lodged. This occurs with particles typically 1 micron or larger.

These four filtration methods combine for exceptionally high filtration of pollutants and environmental irritants, with the weakest point of filtration at 0.3 microns. HEPA filters, at their weakest, trap 99.97% of all microparticles. HEPA filters were originally developed by the nuclear industry, which needed this technology to ensure a thorough cleanup of dangerous, radioactive particles. The technology was also championed by factories and workplaces where the environment produces heavy amounts of dust as part of the manufacturing process. HEPA filters are also routinely used in places that require the highest hygienic standards because of their ability to trap mold spores, bacteria and viruses.

HEPA Filter Classifications

HEPA filters may be classified using a five-letter system, A through E. Each letter designation indicates how well the filter captures particles and resists airflow. A is the lowest ranking, but still meets the basic criteria to be classified as HEPA. E is the highest ranking and is considered military grade. E rated filters are able to handle chemical, radiological or biological particles. HEPA filters may also be rated as type 1 or type 2. Type 1 is fire resistant, and type 2 is semi–combustible.

What You Should Consider When Purchasing a HEPA Stand Alone Air Filter

When purchasing an air filtration system for home use, there are few key things to consider. First and foremost, look for filters designated as genuine HEPA filtration. You may also see the terms “True HEPA,” or “Absolute HEPA.” This indicates that the filter will pick up 99.97% or particles at 0.3 microns. Some manufactures may list their products as “HEPA–like,” or “HEPA type.” These products are not quantified in any way and may be much less effective than a true HEPA filter. A true HEPA filter will always quote the numbers regarding their effectiveness.

Be aware that air purifiers with true HEPA filtration may have slightly highly power consumption than air filters without HEPA, and they may be slightly noisier than other air purifiers. However, most people adjust quickly to the sound, and some people even find the “white noise” sound to be relaxing, The few extra dollars of electricity each month incurred using a HEPA air filter is more than offset by the improved health and comfort that comes with removing indoor environmental pollutants.

HEPA filters need to be cleaned or replaced periodically. You can check the price of replacement filters before purchasing an air filter to insure maintaining the unit will fit within your budget.

Types of Air Filters/Purifiers

When choosing an air filter, there are two basic types to choose from; room models, which are portable and may be easily moved from room to room, and whole–house models, which are built into the ductwork of forced air hearing and cooling systems. Let’s take a closer look at the room, or portable, models.

Room/Stand–Alone Air Filters/Purifiers

Room/stand–alone air filters typically weigh between 10 and 20 pounds, have a handle for easily moving between rooms, and can stand on a floor or table. When choosing a unit with true HEPA filtration, they can absorb 99.7% of indoor environmental pollutants. The HEPA filter inside the unit is replaceable and should be replaced once a year in most households.

Cleanable HEPA filters can be cleaned and reused. Room air filters use a built–in fan to suck in air. Some models may have a built–in service indicator light that indicates when it is time to clean or replace the filter. Some models may also have a dust sensor and air quality monitor that raises or lowers the fan speed automatically as pollutants in the air rise and fall.

The post How Standalone HEPA Air Filters Work appeared first on Reactual.

The Lightest Backpack

Justin Thomas — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 20:53:29 +0000

The lightest backpack for multi-day hikes that includes a built-in frame is the Zpacks Arc Blast Backpack. The 45 Liter pack size weighs a featherweight 20.8 ounces. The base cost is $315, with larger sizes and additional pouches and pockets costing extra.
The lightest backpack without a built-in frame is the the Mount Laurel Designs Exodus. The 40 Liter Exodus weighs 17oz and costs $195.
Standard multi-day packs typically weigh between 60 and 84 ounces.

The Details

Ultralight backpacks are ideal for hikers who enjoy taking a minimalist approach to backpacking, as they allow you to cover more ground than do traditional packs. Read about the basics of Ultralight backpacking here. The Arc Blast has an ultralight Flexed Arc carbon fiber frame that transfers most of the weight away from the shoulders and to the hips. It also creates airflow between you and your pack. Custom made, the Arc Blast can carry up to 35lbs of gear- good for at least a three-day outing.

In addition to a main compartment, the Zpacks Arc Blast comes standard with removable hip pockets, a water bottle sling, and a tent pole pocket. The outside of the pack is adorned with loops you can attach gear to, as well as a fully removable lid for the top of the main compartment. Members of the ultralight backpacking community have commented that the updated version of the Zpack Arc Blast, released in 2015, has new hip belt fasteners, the ability to raise and lower the pack height, and a new padded hip belt which goes all the way around the torso.

The Arc Blast has a Cubin Fiber interior as well as a protective layer of 50 denier Polyester on the outside to minimize rips and tears, but as with all ultralight packs, durability is still a concern and the pack is inadequate for winter or rainy season.

Other Alternatives: Ultralight Multi-Day Backpacks

The Osprey Packs Exos 48 Backpack offers an excellent compromise between durability and weight. At just over two pounds, the Exos 48 sports an ExoForm sewn-in hipbelt with mesh-covered foam for external comfort. It is an ideal starter pack for those interested in minimalist hiking.

The Osprey Packs Exos 48 is available at Amazon for around $190.

Other ultralight weight packs, such as the Mount Laurel Designs Exodus, are even lighter (the Exodus weighs 17oz), but they lack the built-in frame and therefore require padding for extended hiking expeditions. The Exodus costs $195.

The post The Lightest Backpack appeared first on Reactual.

The Best Low-Flow Shower Head: Oxygenics SkinCare

Justin Thomas — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 01:03:11 +0000

Low-flow shower heads can significantly reduce your household water consumption without a noticeable difference to your shower experience. The term “low flow” is generally defined as a shower head with a water consumption rate of 0.5 to 2 gallons per minute (gpm).

I’ve tested about seven different low-flow shower heads, and the Oxygenics SkinCare Showerhead is my favorite, due to its invigorating spray. The technology behind Oxygenics is based on the Venturi Principle. As water enters the base of the showerhead, it is propelled through an accelerator fin to increase the velocity of the water flow. It is then directed through a channel where oxygen is injected into water

It is a “self-pressurizing” shower head, which means it works with low or variable water pressure. It can deliver a great shower whether the water pressure is 20 psi (pounds per square inch) or 100 psi. It has a maximum flow rate of just 2.5 gallons of water per minute.

You can also control the water velocity at the shower head — you can select a spray ranging from brisk and stimulating to soft and gentle. Oxygenics shower heads come with a lifetime guarantee that they will not clog.

The Oxygenics Shower Head is available from Amazon for around $20.

The post The Best Low-Flow Shower Head: Oxygenics SkinCare appeared first on Reactual.