Choosing Good Portable Water Filters And Portable Water Purifiers For Travel And Hiking
You are traveling to an undeveloped country or hiking in an unfamiliar area
. You want to be safe and hydrated, so you decided to buy portable water filters and portable water purifiers for travel and hiking. But before you do so, you have some questions that you need answered.Water filtration and water purification are two different things. Filtration in its most basic form is the process of filtering dirt and sediment from water while killing bacteria and viruses with boiling or the use of chemicals. Purification uses carbon and reverse osmosis to filter harmful particles from the water. In the event that you are worried about running your water purifier, there are currently alternatives like the Steripen sidewinder water purifier that has a hand crank and do not have to have outside power.
Filtration. The main reason to use filtration is to destroy bacteria and viruses. Additionally, some sediment may be removed during the process. The best way to filter water is to boil it for at least three minutes. Although it will not kill all of the harmful bacteria, it will destroy most of them. To filter out dirt and debris, the water will need to poured through a cloth.
The other method of filtration is by using chemicals, which can be portable and quicker than boiling while in third world countries or on a hiking trail. The two types of chemicals commonly used are iodine and chlorine. They are both inexpensive, but as with any chemical usage, there are some risks.
Iodine kills most microorganisms, but it may take some time for larger quantities of water. It should not be used for long periods of time and can be hazardous to pregnant women or people with thyroid problems.
Chlorine thins the water, making dirt and sediment sink to the bottom. It will make the water clearer on the upper levels. However, if chlorine is used in excess or improperly mixed with water, it can cause serious illness, organ damage, and lead to death.
Is it better to use water purification? Water purification is more expensive, but it is a lot safer. With the usage of carbon and reverse osmosis, water is filtered of pollutants and chemicals by the carbon and toxic metals (like lead) and other impurities with reverse osmosis. The carbon also makes the water taste better and removes odors.
It is recommended that if you use a water purifier during hiking or traveling, that the water be boiled after purification. For those who do not have that luxury, some more expensive purifiers use ultraviolet (UV) light that to destroy the DNA reproductive capability of most microorganisms. This can significantly reduce the harmful effects of bacteria and viruses.
I have read about solar filters; how do they work? Something that is relatively new to the market is solar water disinfectors (SODIS). They can kill most bacteria and viruses by utilizing heat and UV rays from the sun. These are particularly effective in sunny and tropical environments.
By using portable water filters and portable water purifiers for travel and hiking, you can make your trip or hike much more enjoyable and safe. You can remain hydrated without fear of getting sick or possibly dying. You will just have to choose the system that works best for you.
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