3 ms·

If you’re like me you may have have read these and wondered what you can do to reduce the amount you ingest. The simplest fix I can suggest is a zero water fil

by graeme 3y ago

If you’re like me you may have have read these and wondered what you can do to reduce the amount you ingest. The simplest fix I can suggest is a zero water filter. They have a model with a glass body. The filter is rated to remove microplastics. Filters last a long time. Easy to use. Any filter rates for microplastic removal should also work. I don’t know how to reduce intake in food and am interested to know. Have found conflicting info. https://www.amazon.com/ZeroWater-Ready-Pour-Dispenser-BPA-Free-Certified/dp/B073WG9GVW https://www.amazon.com/ZeroWater-Ready-Pour-Dispenser-BPA-Fr...

chongli 3y ago
I tried one of those years ago. Within a day or two the water in the filter developed a nasty fishy smell and taste. I took it back for a new one and tried that. Same problem.
- graeme 3y ago
  That's a defect. I had 1-2 new filters do that but most haven't. The fishy smell is what you get when the filtering system starts to break down. Apparently not harmful but means it is time to switch. From comments elsewhere it seems there are mixed reports about microplastics removal from Zero water (or other types) so now I'm unsure what to recommend.
  - chongli 3y ago
    Hmmm. Maybe the ones I had were sitting on the shelf at Walmart for a really long time!
meitham 3y ago
Read your comment and went to Amazon (UK) to buy one, but the description makes no claim of removing microplastics but mercury, lead, and the filter itself is made of plastics so I’m confused
- graeme 3y ago
  Hmm, looking into it further: * Zero water does claim they remove microplastics larger than 10 microns * Consumer Labs claims they actually increase microplastics * From Amazon comments the discrepancy may be due to particle size. The manufacturer claims it relates to cleaning techniques I now feel I need more info but am not sure how to evaluate further. The consumer lab report did say one brand fully removed them. The report is paid only however.
  - rickydroll 3y ago
    link to the report, please. I'll purchase it and share the info
    - graeme 3y ago
      Here you go! https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/water-filters-review/water-filters/ https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/water-filters-review/wat... And the article describing what's in the report re: microplastics: https://www.consumerlab.com/news/consumerlab-tests-reveal-big-differences-in-water-filter-pitchers/10-12-2020/ https://www.consumerlab.com/news/consumerlab-tests-reveal-bi...
      - rickydroll 3y ago
        1) Britta Soho / longlast filter (96% of microplastics removed) 2) Aquagear pitcher (59% of microplastics removed after 2-3 flushes) 3) Aquasana and Pur pitchers (80% of microplastics removal after 3 flushes of filters) Even though the Pur Filter cleaned up the water better overall, it took more flushes (3-4) to reach those numbers, and the filter supposedly emitted a bunch of carbon particles. I use the PUR filter, and it seems to work okay. It solved my problem of Water tasting funky. It would be nice if it also truly reduced microplastics and PFAS chemicals, but I don't have a lab capable of verifying such claims, so I need to trust folks like Consumer Lab. The important thing to remember is that no matter what these tests say, they are a single sample in time. Manufacturers enshitify products for the benefit of shareholders whenever possible. None of us knows if the filters will continue to work as tested.
nickthegreek 3y ago
Wouldnt an RO system also remove the plastics at a cheaper rate?

by graeme 3y ago

chongli 3y ago

I tried one of those years ago. Within a day or two the water in the filter developed a nasty fishy smell and taste. I took it back for a new one and tried that. Same problem.

graeme 3y ago
That's a defect. I had 1-2 new filters do that but most haven't. The fishy smell is what you get when the filtering system starts to break down. Apparently not harmful but means it is time to switch. From comments elsewhere it seems there are mixed reports about microplastics removal from Zero water (or other types) so now I'm unsure what to recommend.
- chongli 3y ago
  Hmmm. Maybe the ones I had were sitting on the shelf at Walmart for a really long time!

meitham 3y ago

Read your comment and went to Amazon (UK) to buy one, but the description makes no claim of removing microplastics but mercury, lead, and the filter itself is made of plastics so I’m confused

graeme 3y ago
Hmm, looking into it further: * Zero water does claim they remove microplastics larger than 10 microns * Consumer Labs claims they actually increase microplastics * From Amazon comments the discrepancy may be due to particle size. The manufacturer claims it relates to cleaning techniques I now feel I need more info but am not sure how to evaluate further. The consumer lab report did say one brand fully removed them. The report is paid only however.
- rickydroll 3y ago
  link to the report, please. I'll purchase it and share the info
  - graeme 3y ago
    Here you go! https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/water-filters-review/water-filters/ https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/water-filters-review/wat... And the article describing what's in the report re: microplastics: https://www.consumerlab.com/news/consumerlab-tests-reveal-big-differences-in-water-filter-pitchers/10-12-2020/ https://www.consumerlab.com/news/consumerlab-tests-reveal-bi...
    - rickydroll 3y ago
      1) Britta Soho / longlast filter (96% of microplastics removed) 2) Aquagear pitcher (59% of microplastics removed after 2-3 flushes) 3) Aquasana and Pur pitchers (80% of microplastics removal after 3 flushes of filters) Even though the Pur Filter cleaned up the water better overall, it took more flushes (3-4) to reach those numbers, and the filter supposedly emitted a bunch of carbon particles. I use the PUR filter, and it seems to work okay. It solved my problem of Water tasting funky. It would be nice if it also truly reduced microplastics and PFAS chemicals, but I don't have a lab capable of verifying such claims, so I need to trust folks like Consumer Lab. The important thing to remember is that no matter what these tests say, they are a single sample in time. Manufacturers enshitify products for the benefit of shareholders whenever possible. None of us knows if the filters will continue to work as tested.

nickthegreek 3y ago

Wouldnt an RO system also remove the plastics at a cheaper rate?