There are many reasons that individuals decide to utilize water filters. Understanding what you need from your water treatment framework is a significant initial step to picking the right filtration system for you.
Shower water filters, often called “shower filters,” might seem to have various functions, including to filter harmful chemicals and make the water healthier for your hair. Chlorine, water hardness, and others are few examples of impurities. These impurities may have different health impacts, including skin irritation, so if a shower filter a worthwhile purchase or is it an unnecessary accessory? There is a wide range of shower water filters, and it creates confusion to conclude whether you want one or which one is best for you.
Why Use A Shower Water Filter?
A water filter can change your shower water in many ways. There are advantages to using this device in your home, particularly with these common water contaminants.
Chlorine
It might appear to be illogical, but showering in chlorinated water can lead to more chlorine absorption than drinking chlorinated water. Research shows that the chlorine (Cl2) in shower water can easily enter the circulation system as it has a low molecular weight and can pass into the human body.
A core reason to use shower filters is to remove chlorine. Chlorine is commonly added to water to disinfect it. Chlorine can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin during showering and bathing. Some individuals who are sensitive to chlorine could face severe skin irritation.
Disinfection by-products (DBP) can be absorbed through the skin during showering and bathing. Although health risks information is limited when being exposed to DBPs. Shower water filter devices can be used to lower disinfectant levels in home water.
Chloroform
One of the disinfectant byproducts that is created during water chlorination is chloroform. Earlier chloroform was used as an anesthetic. Unfortunately, chloroform can cause cancer. The United States Department of Health and Human Services considers chloroform to be “reasonably anticipated as a carcinogen. A warning is also issued by Environmental Protection Agency has also issued a warning about chloroform.
The use of a shower water filter will help to keep chloroform out of your system and you will be much safer for it.
Water Hardness
Water hardness is a common impurity of water. This is one of the most common water problems for households, depending on where in the United States you live.
Water hardness is due to the total amount of dissolved minerals, generally alkali-earth metals, usually calcium and magnesium.
To be a clear, showerhead filters are not able to remove all hardness in the way that home water softeners do, but that doesn’t mean they do nothing! If you have a hardness issue at your home, a home water softener system is the best solution to avoid issues with fixtures and plumbing. A shower filter won’t hurt and will even help a little, but it’s not a complete solution. The best part of the shower filters that it can be installed in minutes and can cost under $50, so it’s an action you can take immediately if the water hardness is bothering your skin or affecting your hair, where a softener can take weeks to arrange and cost hundreds of dollars.
Showerhead Filter Certifications
If you are looking for a certification for your shower filter in order to ensure some sort of third-party quality testing then you’ll find out that options are limited. The only notable certification in this space is the NSF/ANSI 177, which is a certification for filters that attached directly to a water pipe before the water goes into a showerhead.
This certification and filter type isn’t designed to make the water potable, but rather to remove chlorine from the water. In the process of removing chlorine other contaminants will be removed, but the certification is aimed at the chlorine.
How Long Do Showerhead Filters Last?
Showerhead-based water filters will last for differing amounts of times depending on your water hardness and level of contaminants in your water (harmful or otherwise). Also some filters are larger and will last longer, depending on the brand you buy.
Typically, you can expect a showerhead filter to last for about 10,000 gallons or about 6 months of use for a full-time home.
Benefits Of Using A Shower Water Filter
There are some benefits to installing a shower filter in your home. Not all of these are assured, but they can definitely happen if something in your water has been negatively affecting you.
Better Skin
Shower water filter installation can help you to improve your skin quality. Chlorine and other disinfectant are added to water to kill bad bacteria, but unfortunately, it kills good bacteria with polyunsaturated fatty and Vitamin E, too.
The removal of beneficial bacteria in the water may lead to wrinkly and dry skin. A shower filter can reduce the chlorine amount to avoid skin damage.
Hydrated Hair
Whatever can harm your skin can likewise harm your hair. Filters out chlorine are not only good for your skin but for your hair, too. You will see an improvement in your hair quality in an exceptionally brief period after installation of the filter in your shower..
Breathe Easier
According to the researcher, children can face more risk of asthma if they have spent more time around chlorinated pools. Because chlorine releases trichloramine. Just like this chemical is present in a pool’s water, it may also be present in your home water if a shower water filter is not used.
Are Shower Filters Necessary for Everyone?
Whether you want a shower water filter will rely upon your water. If your shower water is cleaned by a public water facility and you are happy with the quality and your CCR test looks good then it’s quite possible you can skip the showerhead filter altogether. If you have well water, you have read about impurities in your water test (via that CCR), and/or you don’t have a full-house water filter then a shower filter can be a cheap addition to your home the improves water quality.
The most effective way to know if you need a shower water filter due to a similar type of impurity is to contact your nearby water company or visit their website to find out about contamination in the water. No shower water filter will remove 100% of a chemical like chloramine, but it will minimize the levels and can be used in conjunction with other point filters, like an RO filter at your kitchen sink. These point filters have to be used in tandem if you aren’t going to do ahead and install a whole house carbon filter.
Ultimately, installing a shower water filter is a smart idea for most families. Whether you are attempting to fix dry skin or essentially need cleaner water for your shower, installing a shower water filter is a quick fix and convenient solution that will accompany only advantages for the individuals who utilize one.
References
- https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/home-water-treatment/water-filters/step2.html
- https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3043/pdf/fs2006-3043.pdf
- https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/home-water-treatment/water-filters.html#nsf
- https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/home-water-treatment/water-filters.html#poresize
- https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/pdf/drinking/Household_Water_Treatment.pdf
- https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/index.html
- Drinking Water Chlorination Fact Sheet – EH: Minnesota Department of Health (state.mn.us)
Article By: Muhammad Arif
Muhammad is a health safety professional. He is a graduate of London Metropolitan University where he earned a degree in Polymer Engineering. And holds a master’s degree in organic chemistry from the University of Karachi.