PFAS, or per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances, are a large group of man-made chemicals - often referred to as "forever chemicals" that pose a significant threat to human health and the environment. They are particularly dangerous because they are extremely difficult to break down.
Recent reports have found that much of our global water resources exceed the safe drinking limits of PFAS and concerns over their environmental and health impacts have steadily escalated. In fact, these chemicals are already so widespread that they have not only infiltrated our water sources and soil, but are likely to be found in low levels in most people across Australia. And to make matters worse, PFAS is "such a robust chemical that it cannot be degraded within the human body," says Prof. Naresh Kumar of University of New South Wales, meaning that once it makes its way into our bodies, it can not be removed.
Studies on laboratory animals have revealed adverse effects of chronic PFAS exposure on the liver, gastrointestinal tract, and thyroid hormones. The Australian Government's Expert Health Panel on PFAS has found that while scientific evidence in humans is still limited, existing reviews and research consistently suggest an association with several health effects. As a precaution, Australia's Environmental Health Standing Committee recommends exposure to PFAS be minimised wherever possible whilst further research is undertaken on the potential health effects.
Completely eliminating PFAS intake is difficult, but we can significantly reduce our exposure by removing them from our drinking and cooking water. The most effective method is to use a high-quality water purifier with a Reverse Osmosis filtration system.
Yes, they are different, but they pose the very same serious threat to human health and the environment as they are also extremely difficult to break down.
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size, resulting from decades of widespread plastic production and use by industries and individuals worldwide. These particles have been detected in oceans and rivers all around the world, inside marine life, fruit and vegetables, cosmetics, dust, and even the air we breathe. Recent research has even detected them in various parts of the human body, including breast milk, the placenta, testicles, hearts, livers, and kidneys.
There is very little we can do to completely remove microplastics from our lives but we can effectively reduce our exposure and intake by eliminating them from our drinking and cooking water. The best possible way to do this is with a high quality water purifier that uses a 0.5 micron (or finer) filter cartridge or a Reverse Osmosis filtration system.
The lifespan and effectiveness of filter cartridges depend on factors such as the volume, quality, and pressure of the incoming water supply. Typically, cartridges need to be replaced every 6 to 12 months and should not be used beyond this period. If filter cartridges are not replaced when they become saturated, they will release even higher levels of contaminants into your drinking water than before.
A reverse osmosis membrane can last 3-4 years, as long as you replace the other cartridges regularly. We can tell you exactly when you need to change your membrane by testing your RO water with our TDS metre.
To ensure safe and clean drinking water, as well as the longevity of the entire system, it is essential to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for replacing filter cartridges and to regularly maintain your filtration system.
Yes. While it may be difficult for the average customer to discern the differences between various makes and brands, there is always a strong correlation between price and quality. There is no real bargain in business, so always remember the old saying, "You get what you pay for".
At Pure Magic Water Purifiers, we don't offer cheap, low-quality products just to make quick profits. We are committed to customer satisfaction and building long-term relationships. We provide high-quality products at reasonable prices, with nearly all of our offerings being owned, manufactured in, or made with fittings from reputable companies based in the USA, UK, and Australia.
How long can a water purifier last? Will replacement cartridges and spare parts still be available for my filter system after several years?
At Pure Magic Water Purifiers, we focus exclusively on high-quality water purification systems, which generally have a much longer lifespan compared to competitors. While we offer an industry-leading 3-year conditional warranty, many of our customers have used their Pure Magic water purifiers for over 10 years.
Be cautious of businesses operating out of a backyard with only a phone number for contact. We have a professional showroom located on a main road and have been in business for over 30 years. With us, you can be assured of reliable access to parts and service for years to come.
A typical carbon filter effectively removes sediment, dirt, rust, and chemicals such as chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, VOCs, and THMs down to 1-5 microns. However, it does not eliminate fluoride, heavy metals, or other dissolved solids. They also do not effectively remove all microplastics and PFAS chemicals. Therefore, carbon filtration is considered a standard and basic method.
In contrast, a Reverse Osmosis system can remove nearly 100% of microplastics, PFAS chemicals, fluoride, nitrates, and heavy metals (such as copper, lead, aluminium, mercury, and cadmium) down to 0.0005 microns. It also eliminates all the contaminants that a carbon filter addresses. RO filtration represents the most advanced technology available for home water purification.
There is no way you can selectively remove bad things only, leaving "good" particles in the water. Since health threats from harmful contaminants are much greater than the nutritional value of minerals in tap water, it is far better to remove everything from the water. In any case, the amount of "good" minerals in the water is so negligible that it cannot be a source of nutrition. You get 99.99% of nutrition from your food, not from your drinking water.
However, if this remains of great concern to you, the option of adding a mineraliser or alkaliser to your water filtration system is available. It is attached at the end of your system so that after your drinking water has been purified by the filter cartridges and RO membrane, it adds minerals such as calcium and magnesium back into the water before it reaches your tap. Keep in mind that this hardens your drinking water by increasing its pH, which can lead to limescale build up in your pipes and appliances, and will also affect its taste.
Fluoride's role in dental health is widely acknowledged; it helps to prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel. This benefit has led to its inclusion in many public water supplies and dental products. However, the safety of drinking fluoridated water is a topic of ongoing debate and concern.
According to Dr. P. Bragg, the American author of the best-selling book "Water, the Shocking Truth", fluoride is waste produced by aluminium foundries, is a deadly poison like arsenic and cyanide, and is used in rat poison. Fluoride slowly destroys the body's self-repair and rejuvenation capabilities causing premature ageing, bone damage and deformities. It depresses the immune system, increases the risk of hip fractures up to 41%, can cause tooth enamel mottling, poor health, mongolism in infants and increases the growth of cancer cells.
No. Carbon filters are effective at removing many types of contaminants from water, including sediment, dirt, and chemicals such as chlorine, which can improve taste and odour. However, carbon filters are not designed to remove fluoride. Fluoride molecules are small and soluble, and they pass through the carbon media without being filtered out.
To address fluoride contamination, you have two options:
Copper corrosion is a significant issue in various regions, including Victoria, and it can manifest in the form of blue or green deposits and discoloration in your tap water, sink, and bathtub. This corrosion typically occurs when water with a low pH level or high acidity interacts with copper pipes, leading to the dissolution of copper into the water. Not only does this cause unsightly staining, but it can also pose health risks, such as gastrointestinal issues or more severe conditions like liver damage, as noted by John Archer, an Australian water researcher.
When dealing with copper corrosion, conventional carbon filters, while effective at removing sediment, chlorine, and some other contaminants, are not equipped to tackle heavy metals such as copper, lead, and aluminium. These filters do not have the capability to remove dissolved metals effectively.
To address copper contamination and ensure that your water is safe and clean, consider the following options:
If you notice blue or green deposits in your water fixtures, it is crucial to take action to address the source of copper corrosion. In addition to installing the appropriate filtration system, consider having your water's pH and corrosion levels tested by a professional. Adjusting the pH of your water through treatments or corrosion control measures might also help prevent further corrosion of your copper pipes and mitigate the issue.
By choosing the right filtration solution and addressing the underlying cause of corrosion, you can ensure that your water is safe, clean, and free from harmful contaminants.
Cryptosporidium and Giardia are resilient waterborne parasites that have recently raised concerns in Melbourne and other rural areas. According to studies, including research by John Archer, these pathogens can still be a risk in our water supplies. Since the exact levels in tap water can be uncertain, it is crucial to take precautions to avoid infection.
To ensure your water is safe, consider these measures:
Chlorine alone is not effective against these parasites, so using one or more of these methods will help ensure your water is safe.
When your primary source of drinking water is tank water, the major health concerns include threats from microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, algae, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia. Additionally, you might be exposed to risks from chemicals and heavy metals, which can leach from chemical sprays as well as from the roof, tanks, and pipes.
One effective approach is to regularly treat your tank water with chlorine, maintaining an adequate level of chlorine residue in the tank. To ensure the water is safe to drink, install a carbon filter under your kitchen sink (point-of-use) to remove chlorine and its by-products.
Alternatively, you can use a combination of a carbon filter or reverse osmosis system with an Ultraviolet (UV) Steriliser. The UV Steriliser effectively kills microorganisms, while the carbon filter or reverse osmosis system addresses contaminants like chemicals and heavy metals.
For general use, such as showering and washing, consider installing a whole-house filtration system with a sediment filter rated at 5-10 microns at the point of entry. This setup will help reduce sediment and other impurities throughout all water sources in your home.
You have to be very careful with a whole house system. There are some filter companies who frequently recommend a whole house system as a thorough solution but that is not always a good idea.
Firstly, whole-house systems often use filters that are of lower to medium grade, designed to handle the higher pressure and larger volume of water required for the entire home. As a result, they do not provide the highest quality drinking water. Most whole-house systems use filters with a 5-20 micron rating, while filters specifically designed for drinking water are typically 0.5-1 microns (Reverse Osmosis offers 0.0005 micron filtration).
Secondly, only a small fraction of the total household water is used for drinking - about 1% of the overall water usage. Given this, it can often be more cost-effective and efficient to invest in a point-of-use purifier, such as an under-sink RO system, combined with a Chlorgon Sprite shower filter, to ensure high-quality purification specifically where it's needed most.
If you are chemical sensitive or immunocompromised and want the convenience of having filtered water from every tap in your house, we recommend use of a whole-house system only when used in conjunction with a high quality under-sink filter system for drinking water, and a specialised Chlorgon shower filter to ensure all chemicals and chlorine are removed even from hot water.
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