Shower Water Filter--Why Every Home Should Have a Shower Water Filtration System

Using shower water filters in your home may be more important than you think.  Every time you shower with unfiltered  chlorinated water, you are increasing the probability of health risks including respiratory illness, skin disorders, and even cancer.  This article will discuss the reason why we all need shower water filters, the type of filters available, and what features you should consider when buying a filter.

Who would have thought that our daily ritual of showering could potentially be deadly? Did you know that 60% of chlorine in our systems is directly absorbed through the skin while showering? We take in 3 to 5 times more chemical contamination from showering than from drinking water. Every time we take a shower, we are inhaling steam that contains highly concentrated levels of chlorine vapors. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned against chlorine, stating that there is an "elevated level of chloroform gas in virtually every home in America" all due to daily showering. Chloroform gas is formed when the vaporized chlorine combines with other airborne particles.

Scientific studies have linked chlorine to a variety of ailments including childhood and adult asthma and other respiratory problems. There are also scientific studies linking chlorine to breast, bladder and colon cancer. Chlorine can also exacerbate skin conditions such as eczema.

With all the toxic repercussions that come with showering, it is obvious that every American home needs a shower water filtration system. One of the immediate effects of removing chlorine and other chemicals from the water is softer skin and hair. Other benefits of shower head water filters include:

• Increased respiratory health, decreasing the risk of asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory illnesses
• Higher energy levels
• Reduction of skin rashes and wrinkles
• Body is able to retain natural moisture, reducing the need of lotions and oils
• Healthier children, who are impacted the most from inhaling harmful chlorine.
  

1. KDF

The KDF shower filter is made of copper and zinc granules which can remove heavy metals such as mercury, aluminum, and lead.  The KDF filter can also kill bacteria, fungus, and algae. Although KDF filters can remove chlorine during the filtration process, they can not remove chloramines.  Chloramines, like chlorine emits harmful vapors released in the air. Chloramines can also be absorbed by the skin.

KDF filters have other drawbacks as well. A KDF filter's performance is directly affected by the water pressure.  If the water pressure is too low, then the water is not able to pass through the filtration powders.  Furthermore, KDF filters tend to clog easily.

2. Granular activated carbon (GAC)

GAC filters effectively reduce organic materials and chlorine, removing bad tastes, odors, and colors. The carbon works by attracting and holding chlorine and other contaminants.   However, the efficiency of the carbon filters can be reduced with warmer water temperatures. Carbon shower head water filters also have a short life span since they also get clogged quickly.

3. Vitamin C
Vitamin C filters is a fairly new material in home shower filtration systems.  This is arguably the best type of shower purifier you can have since it can neutralize nearly 100% of both chlorine and chloramines in the water.  When showering, the filter releases pharmaceutical or food grade Vitamin C to neutralize chlorine/chloramine as water passes through it.  When the water is shut off, the filter stops releasing the vitamin, which increases the life span of the shower water filter.  In fact, the Vitamin C filter's life span exceeds both of the KDF and GAC water filter shower heads.

Very few companies manufacture the Vitamin C filter include Sonaki, VitaShower and Keosan. Filters for the bath are also available.

With so many shower filters available, it may be a little overwhelming to decide which filter will be best for you and your family.  The first factor you should consider is price.  When buying a filter, look at not only the cost of the filter, but also the cost of replacement cartridges.  If you shower frequently, you will want a filter that can handle high volumes of water, decreasing cartridge replacement costs.  A filter that is cheaper today may cost you more money in the long run.

The second factor you should consider is power and effectiveness of the shower filter.  You simply cannot afford to purchase an ineffective shower filter.  Look for a filter that can remove at least 90% of chlorine and chloramines from the water.  Select a shower filter that can remove the highest amount of potentially dangerous chemicals.

The last factor to consider is the ease of installation.  You want a filter that you can easily install and also remove in case you want to travel.  Fortunately, most shower water filters are easy to install and are very user friendly.

Shower water filters are generally inexpensive averaging $30-$50 a filter.  Replacement cartridges usually run between $10-$30.  Keep in mind that a shower water filter can become expensive in the long term if you have to replace a cartridge more than every 9-12 months.