Asbestos is one of many contaminants in public drinking water. As our infrastructure ages and pipes corrode, these materials may seep into your home or office’s water taps.
Lung cancer and fibrosis can result from asbestos ingestion. You must filter asbestos from your drinking water to protect yourself, your family, and your friends.
Asbestos is toxic if swallowed or inhaled. Water filters eliminate asbestos. Water is 99.99% asbestos-free after granular media filtration. Treatment plant pH and turbidity must be controlled for granular media filtration.
Water filters that remove asbestos are available. Filters with a micron rating of one or fewer are the most efficient. These filters remove over 99% of asbestos from water. Asbestos is removed from water by reverse osmosis. These systems sequentially filter dust and asbestos.
Asbestos-reducing Brita and PUR water filters VOCs, high-pressure compounds that enter the water through spillage and runoff and cause nausea, headaches, and nose and throat irritation can be removed by some PUR products. Brita filters can remove asbestos fibers from water, but not all are certified.
Filters remove asbestos from drinking water. Granular media, reverse osmosis, and PUR and Brita water filters remove asbestos to varying degrees. A water filter with a micron rating of 1 or less and careful treatment plant operations are needed for effective filtration. Asbestos can be filtered from drinking water.
As a water filter technician, I’ve seen the importance of using the right water filter to remove asbestos. One of my clients got sick from asbestos in the water. They could drink clean water again after installing a reverse osmosis filtration system. This experience reinforced the importance of using effective water filters to remove asbestos and provide our clients with safe and healthy drinking water.
Reverse osmosis systems
Reverse osmosis systems filter water contaminants with a semi-permeable membrane. Bacteria, viruses, pesticides, nitrates, chlorine, and lead are filtered out by 99%.
Remineralization filters add healthy minerals to water to balance pH and improve flavor in some reverse osmosis systems. These may be worth the investment if you drink or cook with unfiltered water often.
When choosing a filtration system, equipment cost and maintenance are crucial. More filtration stages, better waste ratios, and longer lifespans may come with a more expensive RO system.
The EPA sets an acceptable level for total dissolved solids in drinking water. Still, many RO systems reduce chemical content, including per and polyfluorinated substances. (PFAS). They’re good for health and the environment.
Countertop or under-sink filters
An under-sink filter is ideal if you don’t have room for a countertop filter. They install under your sink and connect directly to the cold water line for clean, refreshing water from your faucet.
For families that need filtered water all day, these systems may be worth the extra cost. These units also have more filtration stages and are easier to install than countertop models.
Chromium, lead, and many under-sink filters can remove chlorine. They also reduce odors and improve taste while removing VOCs, pesticides, and herbicides. For added assurance, some under-sink filters are NSF-certified.
Whole-house filtration systems
Whole-house filtration may be the best option for asbestos-contaminated water. Before entering faucets, toilets, and appliances, these filters filter all water entering your home from the main water line.
Chlorine, lead, iron, and other heavy metals are removed from water by whole-house filtration systems. It tastes better and may prevent pipe clogs, extending the life of your plumbing.
Reverse osmosis (RO) and carbon-based filters remove contaminants. RO filters cost more and require more maintenance than carbon-based filters, but they can filter more particles.
Soap scum and hard water discolor bathrooms and kitchens, but a whole-house filtration system can remove them. It also extends the appliance’s lifespan, saving you money.
NSF-certified filters
NSF-certified filters remove contaminants from tap water, making them ideal for homeowners. These filters have a long warranty and are easy to install.
NSF is a non-profit public health organization that sets and enforces food, water, and product standards. Lead and asbestos exposure is reduced by 98% with NSF-certified filters.
Visit the manufacturer’s website to verify filter certification. Under the product name, NSF or WQA search pages are usually linked.
NSF-certified filters are the only ones allowed to claim chlorine reduction. If eaten or absorbed through the skin, chlorine, and disinfection byproducts (DBPs) can cause bladder cancer.
