| Portable water purifiers and filters come in many | | | | water purifiers and water filters? |
| variations. It can be overwhelming to have to look | | | | There are many factors built into the price when |
| through all the options and alternatives. I wanted | | | | it comes to portable water purifiers and filters. |
| to put this guide together to provide a quick | | | | Water purifiers offer more protection but may |
| overview on your options when choosing the right | | | | cost more. How cleanable the device is in the field, |
| portable water purifier and/or filter for your | | | | the longevity of the device and filter, and the |
| needs. | | | | pore size of the filter are all important. Look |
| What is the difference between a portable water | | | | closely at specifications. Pump force is another |
| purifier and a portable water filter? | | | | factor to consider. Some have a higher (harder to |
| They both operate on the same basic premise | | | | pump) rating than others. However, often the |
| and mechanical-based process. Purifiers typically | | | | trade-off is a longer lasting filter. The type of filter |
| remove bacteria (such as campylobacter jejuni), | | | | also is reflected in its price. |
| protozoan cysts (such as giardia lamlia) and | | | | What are the different types of filters available? |
| viruses (such as hepatitis A) from contaminated | | | | * Ceramic: the longest lasting type of medium |
| water. Portable water filters remove bacteria and | | | | that can be cleaned many times before |
| protozoan cysts only and do not remove viruses. | | | | replacement |
| Viruses are too tiny to be trapped by only a filter; | | | | * Ceramic with carbon: same as above but can |
| water purifiers cause water to interact with iodine | | | | filter out the taste of halogens and some organic |
| which can render viruses inactive. Viruses are less | | | | chemicals and pesticides/herbicides |
| prevalent in North American water and are a | | | | * Fiberglass: similar to ceramic in effectiveness but |
| greater threat in developing countries. Basically, | | | | does not last as long |
| purifiers just add an additional layer of protection | | | | * Structured matrix: A honeycombed material |
| over portable water filters. It is also important to | | | | that is good at capturing pathogens |
| look at the filter pore size of purifiers and filters. | | | | * Iodine resin: A chemical layer that is integrated |
| Pore size is an industry standard measurement. | | | | with filtering to deactivate (not remove) viruses |
| Typically bacteria cannot get through anything .2 | | | | Hopefully this introduction will help you gain some |
| microns or smaller although .3 and .4 microns may | | | | insight to portable purifiers and filters and how |
| be adequate in many circumstances. | | | | they function. |
| What justifies the prices differences between | | | | |