Query about Brita water filter jug
Posted by adagio on Mar 18, 2008 · Member since Aug 2005 · 228 posts
I would really like to know if anybody has had personal experience with, or heard or read stories about, negative health effects, possibly, resulting from use of a Brita water filter jug. I recently replaced my somewhat elderly Kenwood filter jug with a smart looking Brita jug. I have been experiencing a, hitherto unknown to me, health issue. My mother read something about the Brita filter jug which has me thinking that it may be at the root of the problem. It seems that the filter cartridges contain silver. Although, I have no idea as to the implications of this. If anybody has any light they can shed, I would more than pleased to hear from them.
Cheers!
Rebecca :)
Looks like they do contain silver as an antimicrobial agent:
http://www.brita.com.au/help/frequently_asked_questions
Never knew that. Thanks for the query--good to know.
I don't know what kind of health effects you have experienced, but here is what I found from http://www.lenntech.com/Periodic-chart-elements/Ag-en.htm
Health effects of silver:
Soluble silver salts, specially AgNO3, are lethal in concentrations of up to 2g (0.070 oz). Silver compounds can be slowly absorbed by body tissues, with the consequent bluish or blackish skin pigmentation (argiria).
Eye contact: may cause severe corneal injury if liquid comes in contact with the eyes. Skin contact: may cause skin irritation. Repeated and prolonged contact with skin may cause allergic dermatitis. Inhalation hazards: exposure to high concentrations of vapors may cause dizziness, breathing difficulty, headaches or respiratory irritation. Extremely high concentrations may cause drowsiness, staggering, confusion, unconsciousness, coma or death.
Liquid or vapor may be irritating to skin, eyes, throat, or lungs. Intentional misuse by deliberately concentrating and inhaling the contents of this product can be harmful or fatal.
Ingestion hazards: moderately toxic. May cause stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and narcosis. Aspiration of material into lungs if swallowed or if vomiting occurs can cause chemical pneumonitis which can be fatal.
Chronic overexposure to a component or components in this product has been suggested as a cause of the following effects in humans:
- Cardiac abnormalities
- Reports have associated repeated and prolonged overexposure to solvents with permanent brain and nervous system damage.
- Repeated breathing or skin contact of methyl ethyl ketone may increase the potency of neurotoxins such as hexane if exposures occur at the same time.
Yes, my friend is completely obsessed with the blue dude....I swear the media promotes rarities such as this to totally scare people away from alternative therapies....arg...
My chiropractor used to always recommend using Colloidal Silver as an antibiotic. I think the man that turned blue was making his own version of it (you can with a battery or something....) and he was drinking a ton of it everyday. (you are only supposed to use a small amount)
I haven't used it myself, but it just bothers me when one person's misuse gives a bad name to something that could possibly be very beneficial to the public.
As far as the Brita pitcher goes, I hope they are good. I just got a new one about 2 days ago mainly because the filters all fit into each style of jug....I hate trying to match an item with a part....you know, like finding a replacement for your air filter...
Thank you to everyone who has responded. I still feel as if the silver aspect of the filtration is a big unknown. If the product website is to be believed, the silver is completely harmless. It is hard to use one's judgement when so little is known. For the meantime, I have ordered some more filters for my old jug and I will see whether that rectifies this situation. The problem I am having is one of bad breath. I have a dreadful, metallic taste in my mouth which pervades my tongue and throat. My lips also have, what I can only describe as, a metallic tingling sensation, as does my whole mouth. The worst thing about it, is that it makes me very disinclined to be close to anyone. I have never suffered from this before. As with the filter, if any one can shed light on this problem I would be more than grateful.
Rebecca
The new Brita here in Spain has a graphite filter, instead of charcoal. If that's any help, and I doubt it... 8-)
Hi AllyChristine
I love the garden too. I feel very privileged because it is my garden. It's not looking as colourful at present. it is amazing how things can change in just a few weeks. It's kind of in an in-between stage at the moment and needs a lot of replanting of flowering annual seedlings. That task will happen in about a fortnight's time. Mind you, we are experiencing autumn here in New Zealand now and so the next lot of plants will not grow nearly as fast, nor be as showy.
Rebecca :)
I think sometimes in some places that are having trouble with their water supply then water filter is not enough, need some other water cleaning methods...aside from water filter...
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Yvette
Is it just me, or is that post an ad?