What water filter removes fluoride?
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Fluoride is an often talked about subject today, so in this article we will give you the facts about fluoride in Malta and what filter removes fluoride for you.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in water, soil, plants, rocks and air. The positive effect of fluoride on human beings is that the mineral helps prevent tooth decay and stabilizes the bone tissue.
A local Malta dentist, Savina Dental says "Fluoride has been researched for over 50 years and water fluoridation has been proven to cut dental decay by 40 to 60%"
However the mineral fluoride can cause unwanted side effects when consumed in large doses, and so it has been a matter of concern for some people when fluoride has been added to water supplies as it is present already in some toothpastes.
Excess amounts of fluoride ions in drinking water can cause low IQ scores in children, dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, arthritis, bone damage, osteoporosis, muscular damage, fatigue, joint-related problems, and chronic issues.
Fluoride is being used in dental products and treatments because of the mineral's characteristics to prevent tooth decay, but did you know that it is also used in medical imaging scans, as a cleaning agent, in pesticides and for the making of teflon, steel and aluminium products?
As fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral it may also be found in bottled mineral water, in amounts from 0.11ppm to 0.41ppm.
Fluoride in Malta's drinking water
In Malta fluoride is not added in the drinking water and when measured from 19 different tap sources the average fluoride measure was 0.21 ppm during a 1989 study at Malta university and published in the Malta Medical Journal. The good news is also that the average fluoride level in Malta and Gozos water supply is decreasing with time.
TAPP Water Malta conducted independent tests on Malta public supply drinking water and concluded that before filtration a level of less than 0.05 mg/L was observed.
This is because there is naturally occurring fluoride in the ground water in Malta but not in the supply of drinking water from reverse osmosis plants in Malta. Currently (2022) the mix between reverse osmosis water and ground water is 60% to 40% and the use of reverse osmosis water has increased over time, which has meant a reduction in the levels of fluoride in the water in Malta and Gozo.
Does Malta and Gozo have a problem with fluoride in the water?
In a June 2011 study of Dental Fluorosis Among Schoolchildren in Gozo, it was concluded that there were very low incidences of dental fluorosis which is good news and it was also noted that fluoride levels had been decreasing over time.
What water filter removes fluoride?
A natural way of filtering away fluoride is to soak the leaves and stems of Basil, dried or fresh, in a container of water for 8hrs. That would reduce the fluoride by 80%, however it would not filter away chlorine and other contaminants.
The good news is that if you do not have the time to wait for 8hrs there are water filters that will do the job quicker for you.
Studies show that Activated Carbon reduces the rate of fluoride in public supply drinking water and reverse osmosis systems will also reduce fluoride in water.
TAPP Water advanced micro-filtration for water in Malta uses a 5 stage filtration system that includes a solid activated carbon block which reduces fluoride by 70%.
If you had any doubts up to now about installing a water filter in your home I hope that you now have made up your mind. TAPP Water offers the TAPP EcoPro water filter that you can install all by yourself.
TAPP water also offers a guarantee that allows you to try TAPP Water for 45 days in your own home. https://tappwater.mt/pages/the-great-taste-guarantee This so you can make a proper decision for yourself.