How Do Charcoal Filters Work

Activated carbon filters are pretty miraculous in terms of their abilities to remove contaminants, smell and bad sense of taste from tap water. But how do they piece of work and do you lot need one?

Here'south a simple overview of how active carbon filters work, what they remove and the limitations.

How exercise activated carbon filters work?

Activated carbon filters sometimes referred to as charcoal filters contain modest pieces of carbon, in granular or block form, that have been treated to be extremely porous. Just iv grams of activated carbon has a surface surface area the equivalent of a football game field (6400 sqm). It'southward the massive surface expanse that allows active carbon filters to be very effective in adsorbing (essentially removing) contaminants and other substances.

When the water flows through agile carbon filters the chemicals stick to the carbon resulting in purer water output. The effectiveness depends on the flow and temperature of the water. Therefore most smaller active carbon filters should exist used with depression pressure level and cold water.

In addition to the surface surface area active carbon filters may take different capabilities in terms of the size of contaminants they remove. 1 factor is the quality of the activated carbon with coconut shells proven to have the best efficiency. Activated carbon can also be made of forest or coal and sold as granular activated carbon or carbon blocks.

Another factor is the size of the particles that the filter will let through equally this provides a second defense force. Granular activated carbon (GAC) has no specific limit as the material is porous. Activated carbon in the form of carbon blocks on the other hand usually take a pore size of between 0.five to 10 micron. The problem with the smallest sizes is that the water catamenia ends up being reduced as even the water particles struggle to get through. Therefore the typical carbon blocks are between i-5 micron.

What does active carbon filters remove and reduce?

Activated carbon tin be constructive in reducing hundreds of substances including contaminants and other chemicals from the tap water. Still, the about cited studies by EPA and NSF claim constructive removal of between 60-80 chemicals, effective reduction of another 30 and moderate reduction for 22.

The range of effective removal is important and depends on the quality of the activated carbon used and in what form (GAC vs carbon block). Make sure to chose a filter that removes the contaminants of concern for your local tap h2o.

According to EPA (the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States) Activated Carbon is the only filter engineering recommended to remove

all 32 identified organic contaminants including THMs (past-products from chlorine).
all xiv listed pesticides (this includes nitrates besides as pesticides such as glyphosate as well referred to as roundup)
the 12 virtually common herbicides.

These are the specific contaminants and other chemicals that charcoal filters remove.

Chlorine (Cl)

Most public tap water in Europe and North America is highly regulated, tested and certified for drinking. However, to make it safe, chlorine is added which may make it taste and aroma bad. Activated Carbon filters are excellent at removing chlorine and related poor sense of taste and odor. Loftier quality activated carbon filters can remove 95% or more of the complimentary chlorine.

For more details on this read about total and free chlorine.

Chlorine should not be dislocated with Chloride which is a mineral combined by sodium and calcium. Chloride may actually increase slightly when the water is filtered with activated carbon.

Chlorine bi-products

The almost common concern about tap water is by-products (VOCs) from chlorine such as THMs that are identified as potentially cancerous. Activated carbon is more than effective than whatever other filter technology in removing these. According to EPA it removes the 32 near mutual chlorine by-products. The most common measured in tap water reports is total THMs.

Chloride (Cl-)

Chloride is a natural mineral that helps maintain proper claret volume, claret pressure, and pH of body fluids. However, excessive Chloride in water may crusade a salty taste. Chloride is a natural component of tap water without any negative wellness aspects. Information technology's a part of the chlorination procedure of drinking h2o from harmful bacteria and viruses. It does non need to exist filtered or removed but activated carbon typically reduces chloride by 50-lxx%. In infrequent cases chloride may actually increment.

Pesticides

Pesticides are substances that are meant to command pests, including weeds that cease upwards in groundwater, lakes, rivers, the oceans and sometimes tap h2o despite treatment. Activated Carbon is tested to remove the 14 most common pesticides including Chlordane, Chlordecone (CLD/Kepone), Glyphosate (Round-upwards), Heptachlor, and Lindane. This likewise includes Nitrate (se below).

Herbicides

Herbicides too ordinarily known as weedkillers, are substances used to control unwanted plants. Activated Carbon is tested to remove 12 of the most common herbicides including 2,iv-D and Atrazine.

Nitrate (NO32-)

Nitrate is one of the most important compounds for plants. Information technology is a rich source of Nitrogen, which is essential for plant growth. Nitrate has no known harm-effect on adults unless information technology'southward extremely high amounts. However, excessive Nitrate in water can crusade Methemoglobinemia, or "bluish babe" disease (Lack of oxygen).

Nitrate in tap h2o primarily originates from fertilizers, septic systems, and manure storage or spreading operations. Activated carbon typically reduces nitrate by 50-70% depending on the quality of the filter.

PFOS

PFOS is a constructed chemical used in e.thousand. fire-fighting foam, metallic plating and stain repellents. Over the years it has ended upward in the environment and drinking water sources with a couple of major incidents in North America and Europe. According to a 2002 study by the Ecology Directorate of the OECD "PFOS is persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic to mammalian species." Activated Carbon has been establish to finer remove PFOS including PFAS, PFOA and PFNA.

Phosphate (PO43-)

Phosphate, like nitrate, is essential for plant growth. Phosphate is a stiff corrosion inhibitor. High concentration of Phosphate has not shown any health risks for humans. Public h2o systems (PWSs) usually add phosphates to the drinking water to prevent the leaching of lead and copper from pipes and fixtures. High quality charcoal filters typically remove 70-90% of phosphates.

Lithium (Li+)

Lithium occurs naturally in drinking water. Although it exists at very low charge per unit, Lithium is actually an antidepressant component. Information technology has shown no harmful effects on the human body. Lithium can be constitute in continental brine water, geothermal waters, and oil-gas field brines. Charcoal filters such every bit TAPP H2o reduce 70-90% of this element.

Pharmaceuticals

The ubiquitous use of pharmaceuticals has resulted in a relatively continuous belch of pharmaceuticals and their metabolites into wastewater. Current observations suggest that information technology is very unlikely that exposure to very low levels of pharmaceuticals in drinking-h2o would event in appreciable adverse risks to man health, as concentrations of pharmaceuticals detected in drinking-water are several orders of magnitude lower than the minimum therapeutic dose. Pharmaceuticals may be released into water sources in the effluents from poorly controlled manufacturing or production facilities, primarily those associated with generic medicines. High quality carbon block filters such every bit EcoPro remove 95% of pharmaceuticals.

Microplastics

Microplastics are the result of plastic waste product in different kinds of sources. The precise effect of microplastics on human wellness is difficult to determine for a variety of reasons. There are many dissimilar types of plastics, as well as dissimilar chemic additives that may or may not exist present. When plastic waste enters waterways, it does not degrade as natural materials do. Instead, exposure to the suns rays, reaction to oxygen, and degradation from physical elements such as waves and sand cause plastic debris to break down into tiny pieces. The smallest microplastics identified in public reports is 2.6 micron. A two micron carbon block such as EcoPro removes all microplastics larger than than 2-microns.

Special Activated Carbon Filters

In addition to normal activated carbon, some filters either uses treated carbon such as catalytic activated carbon or ads other materials to ameliorate the filtration.

In the case of EcoPro this ways that the activated carbon block too removes/reduces:

95% or more of Chloramine
95% Lead and Zinc (NSF-53 compliant)
95% of Copper
100% of Microplastics (thanks to the i-two micron carbon block)
70% of heavy metals such as mercury
70% of nitrates
30-70% Arsenic and Asbestos
Calcium (Limescale) – new version of EcoPro cartridges.
lxx% of Fluoride
Microbial cyst including giardia and cryptosporidium

By adding Ion Exchange and/or ultrafiltration layers it's possible to remove further content including calcium (limescale) and pathogens (bacteria, coliform and viruses). TAPP Water provides an ultrafiltration filter for countries with non-drinkable water.

What Activated Carbon doesn't filter

Despite the seventy+ contaminants Activated Carbon filters in that location is likewise some materials it doesn't remove

Healthy minerals such magnesium, potassium, sodium and Calcium (this means TDS is mostly not reduced with activated carbon)
Dissolved solids including minerals, salts or metals such as fe that are not considered contaminants
Some microbiological contaminants incl coliform, viruses and small-scale bacteria
Inorganic contaminants such equally arsenic and asbestos (only partially reduced)
Radionuclides although these are reduced

Activated carbon h2o filters mostly do not reduce minerals or TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) which is a mutual measure used by water filter sales people. Read our separate web log about TDS and minerals in tap water. Read more about TDS and minerals in tap water.

Microbiological contaminants

This is one of the most mutual drinking water issues in countries with poor infrastructure. Particularly for waterborne gastrointestinal diseases (east.g. diarrhea that visitors not used to the local h2o go).

Natural water represents an adequate environment for leaner and viruses to grow. Viruses are the smallest form of microorganisms capable of causing disease, particularly those of a fecal origin infectious to humans by waterborne transmission; bacteria are typically single-celled microorganisms that tin also cause health problems in humans, animals or plants.

Generally the chlorine in tap water volition kill all bacteria and viruses which is why filtering of these substances is not necessary for public water in Europe and North America. Activated carbon filters on their own are mostly not sufficient to remove such contaminants.

Activated Carbon filters practice not filter/remove corona viruses that may cause Covid19. But don't worry, corona viruses have never been found in disinfected tap water. Read more nigh how to protect yourself from Coronaviruses and Covid19.

Arsenic

Common in some places where the groundwater has been contaminated. Activated Carbon removes 30-seventy% of arsenic simply is not sufficient in places where this is highlighted as a real trouble.

I f your local water contains ane or more than of these substances and so you lot should ensure that the filter reduces them to a safe level. Almost of the time this ways combining activated carbon with other types of filters such equally Ion Exchange. Read more well-nigh the best filtering technologies.

Conclusion

Activated Carbon is an exceptional material and technology for water filtering and solves many issues but not all.

Make certain you understand the limitations of activated carbon and chose a filter based on your specific needs
Loftier quality activated carbon filters such as ta use treated materials to enhance the filtering efficiency including lead, other heavy metals, microplastics and some leaner
Activated carbon filters retain the healthy minerals and therefore generally do not reduce the TDS in tap water unless combined with other filtration technologies
Activated carbon or charcoal filters are as well used equally i of the stages in about Reverse Osmosis (RO), whole business firm filters, UV filters and other filter technologies
If you are looking for an affordable high quality water activated carbon water filter then endeavour EcoPro

In example of uncertainty about which contaminants are filtered feel free to contact the states on [email protected]

Read about TAPP Water in comparison with other water filters such as Brita, PUR and Culligan.

Sources:

Complete list of what activated carbon filters and doesn't filter – https://tappwater.co/en/complete-listing-activated-carbon-filtration/
Learn more than well-nigh activated carbon h2o filters – Filter guide for drinking water
How Activated Carbon adsorption works – http://www.lenntech.com/library/adsorption/adsorption.htm
What does Activated Carbon remove – https://iaspub.epa.gov/tdb/pages/treatment/treatmentOverview.practise?treatmentProcessId=2074826383
How does Granular Activated Carbon Work – http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/hazardous/topics/gac.html
What does Activated Carbon remove http://world wide web.purewaterproducts.com/manufactures/carbon
Microbiological contaminants – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/manufactures/PMC4372141/

Originally posted 15 January 2018. Last updated 14 March 2020.