Transmittable Viruses and Pathogens

It’s impossible to ignore the news about the first-ever emergence of the Ebola virus here in the United States. Citizens are quite concerned with the potential to be infected with this rare and deadly virus.

While #Ebola is certainly a grave illness, at this time it is unlikely that the majority of people in the U.S. will come into contact with the virus.  However, there are numerous other non-viral, waterborne parasites that can infect all citizens, even within a treated municipal water delivery system.

For example, the Cryptosporidium pathogen can cause the diarrheal illness cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidium is not passed along by insects, but is transmitted by hardy cysts that can be ingested and that result in gastrointestinal infection and illness.  Cryptosporidium can survive for long periods outside a host, and is resistant to common disinfectants including chlorine-based disinfectants.  High concentrations of chlorine disinfection is required to inactivate #Cryptosporidium.  Generally, the required levels of chlorine preclude the use of this #disinfection method as a reliable method to control it in drinking water.

Other microbial pathogens (microorganisms capable of causing disease) such as Giardia, Entamoeba, and Toxoplasma can be transmitted by fecal contamination of surface waters used as drinking water sources, or by other exposures such as touching contaminated soil or eating unwashed fruits and vegetables.

The good news is you can easily protect yourself.  All #Multipure Water Filtration Systems have been NSF tested and certified for 99.95 and over reduction percentage levels of these waterborne microbial cysts.  In addition, a Multipure system will also reduce the chlorine-based disinfectants that are used by municipal water treatment plants. You can check the reduction levels of all contaminants on our Water2Drink website.  The Product Page for each water filtration system contains a link to the Performance Data Sheet which contains that information.  Use your Multipure filtered water for drinking, washing foods, ice cubes, boiling foods, or for any ingestible use.