Water Disinfection and Polar Pure
WATER TREATMENT:
Water treatment (disinfection) consists of removing solids by filtration and / or destroying disease organisms by chemicals or heat. Methods of water treatment include:
CHLORINE DISINFECTION:
Ordinary household chlorine bleach, a 5% solution of sodium hypochlorite, can be used as a water disinfectant. It is readily obtainable in many parts of the world, but in a dilute solution which makes it awkward to use because such a large volume must be carried.
HEAT STERILIZATION:
One way to disinfect water is simply to heat it to 150°F (66°C) or to onset of boiling. The temperature at which water boils changes with a change in atmospheric pressure and altitude. The extra fuel needed may be a problem on long trips or where fuel is not available.
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FILTERS:
Filters have become popular because they can remove pollutants from water without changing the water taste. The most popular portable filters sold today have pore sizes of 0.1 to 4 microns.
The Giardia cyst (a common intestinal parasite) is 6 microns in diameter and many bacteria are larger than 0.2 microns. Small pore filters (at least 0.2 microns) can remove such organisms. Viruses, however, range from 0.004 to 0.06 microns in size -- far smaller than the pore size of the best portable filter. Chemicals (iodine or chlorine) or heat must be used after, or instead of a filter if viruses are suspected to be present. Only filters with an iodine matrix are capable of killing viruses.
All filters eventually become clogged. Filter lifetime is determined by the quantity and size of particles in the water. Filters may also clog from growth of organisms in the filter medium. The filter must then be backflushed or replaced or (for ceramic filters) scrubbed clean, slowly eroding the ceramic. In very cold conditions, retained water may freeze, plugging and possibly cracking the filter element. A chemical water treatment backup to a filter is advisable. Filters weigh 1 to 1.5 pounds -- even more after use because they retain some water.
IODINE AND POLAR PURE:
Iodine:
Iodine has a long history as a safe, effective water disinfectant with no ill effects in normal people over long use in community water treatment at up to 20 ppm (parts per million) iodine.
"Tincture of iodine" (alcohol / iodine solution) can be used, but to assure disinfection, milligrams of iodine per drop must be known.
Iodine complexes such as Potable Aqua and Globaline are convenient and effective when fresh, but degrade on air exposure. -- These tablets should be discarded 3 months after opening bottle.--
Use of Betadine (povidone/iodine complex) in water treatment has not been tested.
POLAR PURE WATER DISINFECTANT:
Polar Pure Water Disinfectant uses pure crystallized iodine in a unique delivery system to destroy water-borne pathogens including giardia cysts and micro-organisms (viruses) that pass through filters. Simply add water to your Polar Pure bottle to create and use a saturated solution to disinfect your water.
Pure iodine crystals are stable and slightly soluble in water but evaporate easily. Keep your Polar Pure bottle filled with water and tightly capped to maintain a ready to use iodine-saturated solution.
When used as directed, a saturated iodine solution for disinfection is maintained in your filled Polar Pure bottle. This saturated solution is then used to disinfect your drinking water at an optimal concentration of 4 - 5 ppm (parts per million - about 4 - 5 mg) iodine per quart/liter of water.
Saturation concentration varies with the solution temperature, but a green dot on the liquid crystal dosage chart on the Polar Pure bottle shows how many capfuls are needed for disinfection. For complete instructions, refer to our directions for use page.
POLAR PURE WATER DISINFECTANT
- Does not deteriorate with extremes in temperature
- Has an indefinite shelf life
- Is safe and fully effective to use as long as you can see iodine crystals at the bottom of the bottle
- One bottle treats up to 2000 quarts of water at less than 1/2 cent per quart
- Dosage chart is printed on the bottle
- Bottle cap is used to measure and decant solution -- no other equipment needed
- Small size and light weight makes it convenient for backpacking and travel
- Essential for emergency preparedness
Refer to our water treatment comparison page for more information regarding water disinfection
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