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Facts and Myths About Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis is a process of purifying water by removing impurities and contaminants. While this process is widely used, there are many misconceptions and myths about how it works and what it can do. To learn more, read this article to discover the facts and myths about reverse osmosis. H2O Filters
The human body is made up of 60% water. It is therefore not surprising that the quality of drinking water is very important for our health. There are countless water filtration and treatment systems on the market, but some of them are controversial to say the least. One of these is so-called reverse osmosis, also known as nanofiltration or membrane filtration. Find out what these filters are used for, why the water produced in this way is definitely not drinkable, and the proper methods of treating drinking water.
How reverse osmosis works
Reverse osmosis, as the name of this device suggests, is a water filter that works by reversing the physical phenomenon of osmosis. These filters have an extremely fine membrane, with a pore size of only 0.0001 microns, less than a millionth of a millimeter. Such a membrane only allows water molecules to pass through, all other substances are trapped by the membrane.
So how does reverse osmosis work? During normal osmosis, demineralized water (i.e. pure H2O) would tend to move across the membrane into normal water, i.e. water with a higher concentration of substances. Reverse osmosis system but it puts pressure on the water with the solutes so that the water flows in the opposite direction. Thus, normal water containing a wide range of substances flows under pressure to the membrane, while only H2O without any impurities is present behind the membrane.
Why reverse osmosis filtration of drinking water is demonstrably harmful to health
Reverse osmosis vendors often offer these devices to households, promising “absolutely clean water” or “a universal filter that solves all problems.” Yes, reverse osmosis does indeed remove absolutely all substances from water, which may sound great to the layman. But Drinking water contains not only harmful substances but also a number of minerals, which are vital to humans. Drinking water depleted of these substances is therefore a demonstrable health risk and is not recommended in any case – water produced by reverse osmosis is not potable, does not even meet statutory limits for the minimum content of certain substances in drinking water, as as evidenced by the opinion of the State Institute of Health and other experts.
Moreover, during cooking in such treated water, many times more minerals are “boiled” out of the food, thus reducing the daily intake of these substances even further. The reverse osmosis water thus is not suitable for the preparation of food..
Some reverse osmosis devices have the additional function of “remineralising” the osmotic water, but the replenishment of minerals in this way is rather symbolic and cannot replace drinking ordinary water.
Consumption of reverse osmosis water causes a number of very serious health problems. This water is not potable.
What causes reverse osmosis water consumption
Demineralized water is actually distilled water, i.e. pure H2O. If you drink it for a long time the human body suffers from a lack of calcium, magnesium, sodium and other substances, which is negatively reflected in a multiply increased risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.
In addition, reverse osmosis water damages the intestinal lining and decalcifies bones, disrupts human metabolism, and leads to an increased risk of toxic exposure to heavy metals. This water poses an extreme risk to pregnant women, in whom it can severely damage the fetus and cause neurodegenerative disorders and other pregnancy problems.
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How to properly filter and treat drinking water in the home
If you have any doubts about the quality of your water, first of all, get a professional analysis. Only this will tell you the whole truth about what pollutants your water contains. You should then take the results of the analysis to an expert who will suggest suitable water filtration and treatment solutions. Never rely on salespeople who offer you a solution without knowing the water analysis. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and Home drinking water filtration must always be custom designed.
In general, pollutants in water can be divided into 3 categories:
Mechanical impurities, such as sand, rust fragments and other particles. These debris do not pose a risk to your health, but they do clog pipes and appliances. It is therefore advisable to remove them using a water filter with a strainer. Filters for mechanical impurities are an integral part of domestic waterworks if you draw water from your own sources.
Dissolved Chemical and organic substances, such as chlorine and other disinfectants, but also fertilisers, chemicals from industry and transport, pharmaceutical residues, heavy metals, etc. In the case of such pollution, it is really necessary to focus on a water treatment plant that can cope with the specific type of impurities. Most often (but not always) an activated carbon filter is used, which removes most dissolved substances, odours and turbidity from the water, in addition to disinfectants. Unlike reverse osmosis, however, activated carbon does not trap minerals, so the water is crystal clear and has an ideal ratio of all vital elements.
Biological pollution in the form of bacteria, viruses and micro-organisms is a health hazard to humans and is commonly found in water from its own sources. In the case of water from waterworks, the risk of contamination is minimal, but not entirely eliminated. The solution is to disinfect the water. If you do not want to degrade the quality of the water by chemical disinfection, you can opt for a much healthier and more environmentally friendly disinfection using special UV lamps.
The method of filtration and water treatment must be suggested by an expert on the basis of an independent water analysis from an accredited laboratory.
When reverse osmosis can be used
In conclusion, reverse osmosis has its practical applications, but not in the home. Originally, this system was developed for desalination of seawater in areas where freshwater resources are scarce. Reverse osmosis is still used for these purposes today.
Reverse osmosis filtered water is also used in industry as technical water or as laboratory water in chemical laboratories and in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals. It can also be used, for example, in car radiators and in some appliances such as humidifiers and steam irons, where it prevents limescale. Reverse osmosis is also sometimes used in aquarium and industrial wastewater treatment.
Water produced by reverse osmosis has the properties of distilled water and is not potable. However, it is used in some industries. To improve the quality of water in the home, use only filters and water treatment plants designed by an expert on the basis of an independent analysis of the drinking water.
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What is Reverse Osmosis?
Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification technology that uses a semipermeable membrane to remove ions, molecules, and larger particles from drinking water. It is the most effective method for removing most contaminants from water, making it ideal for residential and commercial applications.
What are the Benefits of Reverse Osmosis?
Reverse osmosis has several advantages over other water purification methods. It is effective in removing a wide range of contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, and dissolved solids. It also requires minimal maintenance and is relatively inexpensive. Additionally, it does not produce hazardous waste or require the use of chemicals.
Are There Any Drawbacks to Reverse Osmosis?
The main drawback of reverse osmosis is that it can be wasteful. Because the process requires a lot of water to be pushed through the membrane, up to 80% of the water can be lost in the process. Additionally, some dissolved minerals and beneficial compounds can be removed from the water, resulting in water that can taste flat or “dead.”
Are There Any Myths About Reverse Osmosis?
Yes, there are several myths about reverse osmosis. One myth is that reverse osmosis is the only way to purify water. In reality, there are several other water purification methods, such as carbon filtration and ultraviolet light, which can be more effective in certain situations. Another myth is that reverse osmosis removes all contaminants from water, when in fact it is not 100% effective.
Where Can I Learn More About Reverse Osmosis?
For more information about reverse osmosis, please visit Aquasana’s Guide to Reverse Osmosis.
Facts and Myths about Reverse Osmosis
- Advantages of Reverse Osmosis:
- Removes impurities from water
- Produces clean and safe drinking water
- Requires little maintenance
- Can be used to purify water for industrial applications
- No chemicals are used in the process
Discover the truth about reverse osmosis! Learn the facts and separate the myths from reality. Get the most accurate information about reverse osmosis from our experts today. Click here to find out more and get started on your journey to a better understanding of reverse osmosis!