Cancer experts have identified 20 chemicals that we may be exposed to daily that are suspected of causing cancer in our every day lives. When the President’s Cancer Panel released its report stating that environmental chemicals were a “grossly underestimated” cause of cancers in the U.S., the American Cancer Society (ACS) responded by saying the report put too much weight on environmental causes and not enough emphasis on known cancer risks, such as tobacco smoke and obesity. Hoping to bring a little clarity to the field of chemicals that may trigger cancers, the ACS, three government agencies, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer published a list of 20 chemicals so far not officially linked to cancer but still in widespread use that have the strongest evidence against them that they may cause cancer. After reviewing the existing research, 20 chemicals showed enough evidence of causing cancer in laboratory tests and in animals that there was a strong likelihood that they could also cause cancer in humans. Most of the chemicals on their list are industrial chemicals, for instance, carbon black (a substance used to make synthetic rubber) and welding fumes, but others are much more common and can crop up in everything from our sunscreen to our water supply:
- Atrazine: a widely used pesticide for corn that’s so hazardous it’s banned in Switzerland, the home country of the company that manufactures it.
- Chloroform: a water-disinfection by-product that can wind up in your tap water.
- Diesel engine exhaust.
- Diethylheyxl ptthalate (DEHP): a chemical used to keep vinyl plastics, like your shower curtain, soft and pliable
- Formaldehyde: already a known human carcinogen that causes pharynx and nasal cancers, this chemical (used in hundreds of building products) was added to the list because of suspicions that it might cause leukemia.
- Lead and lead compounds.
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): banned since the 1980s, these industrial flame retardants still linger in our food supply.
- Styrene: used to make polystyrene foam coffee cups and takeout containers.
- Perchloroethylene: the commonly used dry-cleaning solvent.
- Titanium dioxide: used as a colorant in paints but also as an ingredient in sunscreens; the researchers were particularly concerned about nanoparticles of titanium dioxide, which are already suspected of causing brain damage.
Reverse osmosis drinking water systems are the number one recommendation for removing a wide variety of these contaminants including atrazine, chloroform, Lead, Fluoride and other industrial chemicals that the ACS included on its list, such as trichloroethylene (a solvent used in auto body shops and mechanics’ garages) and formaldehyde. Filter Pure Systems recommends and stocks several different brands of reverse osmosis systems including Hydrotech’s latest RO system featuring quick-change cartridges, which can be customized for changing water conditions. These proprietary cartridges also simplify the regular replacement as required – typically on an annual basis. The QCRO delivers bottle water quality without the hassle or cost.
PURA 1340302-60, QCRO4V-50 Reverse Osmosis System
Features:
- High Quality Reverse Osmosis Membrane
- 50 Gallons Output Per Day
- Sediment Pre-Filtration
- Carbon Block Pre-Filtration
- Granular Carbon Post-Filtration
- Quick-Change Cartridges – Easy as a Light Bulb
- 1/4″ Quick-Connect Fittings
- Color Coded Fittings & Tubing for Ease of Installation
System Includes:
- Long Reach Chrome Faucet
- Storage Tank
- Installation Hardware
QCRO4V-50 Certified Contaminant Reduction
| Contaminant | Influent challenge concentration mg/L | Maximum permissible product water concentration mg/L | Minimum % Reduction | Average % Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 0.30 ± 10% | 0.010 | 98.7 | 99.6 |
| Barium | 10.0 ± 10% | 2.0 | 97.7 | 98.8 |
| Cadmium | 0.03 ± 10% | 0.005 | 97.3 | 98.8 |
| Chromium (+6) | 0.3 ± 10% | 0.1 | 97.6 | 99.1 |
| Chromium (+3) | 0.3 ± 10% | 0.1 | 99.6 | 99.7 |
| Copper | 3.0 ± 10% | 1.3 | 98.3 | 99.0 |
| Fluoride | 8.0 ± 10% | 1.5 | 96.3 | 97.7 |
| Lead | 0.15 ± 10% | 0.010 | 99.3 | 99.3 |
| Radium (226/228) |
25 pCi/L ± 10% | 5 pCi/L | 80.0 | 80.0 |
| Selenium | 0.10 ± 10% | 0.05 | 97.8 | 98.1 |
| Turbidity | 11 ± 1 NTU | 0.5 NTU | 96.7 | 98.9 |
| TDS | 750 ± 20% | 187 | 84.5 | 85.1 |
This system has been tested according to WQA S-300 for reduction of the substances listed above. The concentration of the indicated substances in water entering the system was reduced to a concentration less than or equal to the permissible limit for water leaving the system, as specified in NSF/ANSI 58 standard.
Download the AQUA FLO SPEC SHEETqcro4v-50
For more information about this system or any of our Reverse Osmosis or drinking water systems please call 800-942-7873 or info@filterpure.com.
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The first stage of filtration is the sediment filter, which reduces suspended particles such as dirt, dust, and rust. The second stage of filtration is the carbon filter. This filter reduces volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), chlorine, and other compounds that might impact the taste or odor of the tap water. Chlorine should be removed from the water before the water enters the membrane. This will help preserve the life of the membrane. The center and third stage of a reverse osmosis system is the semi-permeable (RO) membrane.It is responsible for rejecting up to 98% of the total dissolved solids in the water.
