Activated carbon filters effectively remove a wide range of impurities from water, including chemicals, gases, and physical impurities.
What Activated Carbon Filters Target
According to NSF International and the Environmental Protection Agency (USA), activated carbon filters have the ability to remove:
- 60 to 80 chemicals from water.
- Reduce 30 additional chemicals.
This demonstrates a broad range of contaminant removal, making activated carbon filters a versatile choice for water purification.
Types of Contaminants Removed
Here's a more detailed look at what activated carbon filters can remove:
- Chemicals: Many organic chemicals, such as chlorine, pesticides, and herbicides, are efficiently adsorbed by activated carbon.
- Gases: Gases like radon and hydrogen sulfide can also be removed, improving water taste and odor.
- Physical Impurities: Activated carbon can remove sediment and other physical debris by filtration; however, not all particulates are removed.
Why Use Activated Carbon Filters?
- Improved Taste and Odor: Removing chlorine and other contaminants often leads to a significant improvement in water quality, making it more palatable.
- Health Benefits: Reducing chemical contamination can reduce the risk of certain health problems associated with contaminated water.
- Versatility: Activated carbon filters are used in various applications, from home water filters to industrial purification systems.
Practical Insights and Solutions
- Regular Filter Changes: To maintain effectiveness, activated carbon filters should be replaced regularly, following manufacturer guidelines.
- Pre-filtration: Using a sediment filter before an activated carbon filter can help extend the life of the activated carbon filter by removing larger particles.
- Combine Filtration: In many applications, activated carbon is used alongside other filtration methods such as reverse osmosis to provide complete water filtration.
Activated carbon filters offer a solid solution for removing common contaminants from water and should be considered a valuable part of any water purification system.
