Question from Jay
Hi Debra, I was wondering if you had heard about the Omica Shower Filter. This is the link to check it out: http://www.omicaorganics.com/store/omica-shower-filter.html?___SID=U
I remember reading about shower filters being ineffective, or even harmful, because warm water would damage the filter and release chemicals in the filtered water. Do you know anything about this? What do you think about it? Thanks a lot.
Debra’s Answer
First I think that shower filters are an excellent idea. In fact, my father put together the first shower filter for me back in 1978 and then a friend of mine started selling that same model made from parts from the hardware store.
I don’t know anything about warm water damaging the filter or releasing chemicals into the filtered water. Chemicals WILL get released into filtered water hot or cold if you continue to use the filter media after all the pores are filled that have trapped the pollutant molecules. So it’s very important to change your filter media as recommended by the manufacturer.
Now regarding this particular shower filter, I wouldn’t buy this one. It says it “helps remove” fluoride, chloramine and chlorine and removes 100% lead.
Then it lists the filtration medium elements:
First of all, NONE of these media remove fluoride to my knowledge.
Second, I don’t like filters designed to remove BOTH chlorine and chloramine. It’s a waste of media. Your water has one or the other. It’s better to have all the media remove whichever one you have in your water.
Debra, is there any Shower Filter you know of that will remove Flouride? We use the same drinking water filter that you use (under our kitchen sink), but cannot afford the Whole House filter. None of the shower filters linked to on your List offer this feature. After researching online, it seems the Omica Organics Shower Filter is the only one claiming to remove Flouride from shower water. Unless one can afford a whole house filtration system that removes Flouride, it seems there really aren’t any options for reducing this particular contaminant from their shower water. From looking at your list of recommended filters, the only options are shower filters removing chlorine or chloramines. What do you suggest to someone with flouride in their water who cannot purchase a whole house filter but wants to reduce exposure during showers?
COMMENT FROM DEBRA:
This Omica Organics Shower Filter would remove fluoride because it contains activated alumina. I don’t know how much it would remove.
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