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August 31, 2009 |
| METHOD | WHAT IT DOES | LIMITATIONS | BRANDS
| Activated Carbon Filter
| - Adsorbs organic contaminants that cause taste and odor problems.
- Some designs remove chlorination byproducts;
- Some types remove cleaning solvents and pesticides
- Efficient in removing metals such as lead and copper
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- Does not remove nitrate, bacteria or dissolved minerals
| Brita | | Ion Exchange | - Removes minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium that make water “hard”
- Some designs remove radium and barium
- Removes fluoride
| - If water has oxidized iron or iron bacteria, the ion-exchange resin will become coated or clogged and lose its softening ability
| Brita | | Reverse Osmosis | - Removes nitrates, sodium, other dissolved inorganics and organic compounds
- Removes foul tastes, smells or colors
- May also reduce the level of some pesticides, dioxins and chloroform and petrochemicals
| - Does not remove all inorganic and organic contaminants
| | | Distillation | - Removes nitrates, bacteria, sodium, hardness, dissolved solids, most organic compounds, heavy metals, and radionucleides
- Kills bacteria
| - Does not remove some volatile organic contaminants, certain pesticides and volatile solvents
- Bacteria may recolonize on the cooling coils during inactive periods
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Source: EPA |
