What Does a UV Filter Remove? It’s important to note that, while UV treatment doesn’t necessarily remove pathogens and organisms, it does render them useless by altering their DNA. Unable to reproduce, the various bacteria and viruses that can lurk inside your drinking water are made inert, ineffective, and harmless when treated with UV light. Some of the most worrisome microbial contaminants that UV filters protect your family from include:
E. Coli
E. Coli is associated with agricultural runoff and sewage, as the bacteria lives largely in the intestines of cows. The specific strain that is known to cause severe health problems, 1057:H7, produces a powerful toxin that can cause extreme gastrointestinal illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As the CDC attests, UV filters like those we sell at Pelican are effective in eliminating the danger of bacteria in your drinking water like E. Coli.
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium is microscopic parasites that can cause a diarrheal disease called cryptosporidiosis in anyone who ingests it. Due to its outer shell, the parasite is mostly impervious to the standard chlorine treatment used in drinking water. This means that it can make its way into your drinking water unless additional precautions are taken. In order to protect your family from “crypto,” invest in a UV filter that will effectively destroy the parasite. The CDC asserts that UV filters eliminate most protozoa, including cryptosporidium.
Giardina similar microscopic parasite to cryptosporidium, giardia also causes severe diarrheal disease if it makes its way into a human’s intestines. It can survive in the environment and in your body for great lengths of time to the protection from its outer shell. Giardia infection is a common cause of waterborne disease in the United States. Giardia is like cryptosporidium in the sense that its outer shell means that chlorine disinfectants have minimal effect. The CDC recommends UV filters to effectively reduce giardia in your drinking water.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis A is a liver disease that is contagious and results from coming in contact with the Hepatitis A virus. According to the CDC, the disease ranges in severity and can last from several weeks to a few months. Water systems around the country can become contaminated with Hepatitis A if even a microscopic amount of fecal matter from an infected person makes its way into the water supply. The CDC supports that UV treatment of infected water will remove many viruses present, including Hepatitis A.
