Lead is one of the most dangerous pollutant agents present in tap water. All purifying water agencies worldwide have it as their top priority to decrease the lead particles in freshwater to the lowest possible level. Even though you can’t influence how water purification occurs in the public water company reservoirs, you can filter the water coming to your house. A lead water filter model could be your best ally to combat lead particles in your water and safeguard your family’s health.
How Can Lead Contaminate Fresh Water?
Lead can contaminate tap water when it passes through older pipes covered with lead internally. Older houses always have these issues since lead pipes were widely used some decades ago.
What Concentration of Lead Wouldn’t Harm Human Health?
FDA and other authorities have set stricter standards for the lead particles present in your tap water. Today the acceptable levels of lead in your water are close to zero, and you need to ensure that your water doesn’t come into physical contact with this element while being on a track for your house.
Consequences of Lead Consumption to Healthy Persons
Lead is a toxic agent that can accumulate in the nerve cells and create structural damages to your brain. That is particularly valid for young children who have a developing nervous system. Even the lowest lead intake could severely harm them and impair their ability to develop physically and mentally.
Adults may suffer from kidney failure, hearing loss, and red blood cell inefficiency if exposed to water contaminated with lead for a long time. The only way to deal with this problem would be to find the right filter for the water reaching your home.
Water Filter Types Removing Lead from Water
Here are the most common water filter types to remove lead from drinking water:
Gravity Filters
These filters use gravity to allow water to pass through the filter. The latter has a substance accumulating lead particles by binding them permanently. That requires you to change your filter every one or two months, according to the lead levels in your tap water.
Reverse Osmosis Filters
Reverse osmosis filters have a membrane separating clean from contaminated water. When you apply electricity to one end, lead gets attracted to the other, leaving the freshwater clean in the first reservoir. It’s an expensive method to filtrate water and remove lead, but it’s also one of the most effective.
Activated Carbon Filters
Filters containing activated carbon can absorb lead since carbon reacts and creates non-soluble substances retained by the filter. Activated carbon filters are not that expensive but require frequent change if you want them to be 100% effective in lead particle absorption and removal.
Mounting Types of Water Filters Removing Lead
In terms of mounting type for your filters, here you can find a list of the latest models:
Faucet Mount Units
They are some of the most advertised water lead filters. They can be adjusted directly to your faucet and provide clean and purified water instantly. These models have an internal filter to withhold lead particles and other pollutants like mercury and pharmaceutical substances. They are easy to use and don’t need an external power network connection to work. If your water network has adequate pressure, it will perform efficiently for a long time. Their maintenance is minimal, and their filter cost is quite affordable.
Pitcher Filters
Pitcher filters operate with activated carbon and ion filters to attract the lead particles from your tap water. They are pretty portable and easy to handle compared to other lead filter models. Lately, they have received accreditation to successfully remove more than 99% of lead particles in the water you pour inside them.
General Water Switch Filters
These filters get mounted next to your water meter outside your house. They cost a lot more than other conventional filters, but they can give you access to purified water even when having your shower. Their efficacy is measured in gallons per hour, and when they reach a certain threshold, they should be replaced right away to keep their lead-attracting ability.
Shower Filters
Shower filters are attached to your shower faucet and reduce more than 99% of lead present in tap water. They are efficient in removing lead from hot water coming directly from your water heater.
Under Counter Water Purifiers
Under Counter Water purifiers get attached to your plumbing network right underneath your kitchen countertop. They filtrate tap water by passing it through ionized filters. You can check their color to know when they need to be replaced.
