WHAT MICRONS MEAN TO WATER FILTERS - A micron, as defined by dictionary.com is: “Also called micrometer. The millionth part of a meter. Symbol: μ, mu.” One millionth of a meter works out at 0.0001 cm or 0.001 mm. A human hair is around 0.0889 mm. Most filters can have their effectiveness at removing pollutants measured by how low their micron score is. For example, a water filter that protects down to 1 micron, will block any particles larger than this from passing through. Anything smaller than 1 micron may continue through and be part of your drinking water. Water pollutants come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and by knowing exactly what you’re looking for, you stand a much greater chance of stopping it. For a water filter to protect against the smallest virus particles, it would need to have a filter capable of working down to below 0.004 microns. The micron rating is not the only thing to be considered when buying a home water filter.

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Microns

What They Mean to Water Filters

Jon Godfrey

Not all water filters were created equally. Find out what a micron is, and why they are so important to water filters.

Microns and Water Filters

A micron, as defined by dictionary.com is:

“Also called micrometer. The millionth part of a meter. Symbol: μ, mu.”

In slightly more understandable terms, one millionth of a meter works out at 0.0001 cm or 0.001 mm.

A human hair is around 0.0889 mm and there are 25,4000 microns in one inch.

You might ask what this little science lesson has to do with water filters?

Well most filters can have their effectiveness at removing pollutants measured by how low their micron score is.

For example, a water filter that protects down to 1 micron, will block any particles larger than this from passing through.

Anything smaller than 1 micron may continue through and be part of your drinking water.

Water pollutants come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and by knowing exactly what you’re looking for, you stand a much greater chance of stopping it.

The table below shows some common water pollutants and their sizes in microns.

Water Pollutant   Particle Size (Microns)

Mold Spores        10 - 30

Asbestos             0.7 - 90

Insecticide          0.5 - 10

Bacteria              0.2 - 10

Lead                   0.1 - 0.7

Viruses               0.004 - 0.1

Note the size of virus particles. These include E-coli, hepatitis, and legionnaires disease.

For a water filter to protect against the smallest virus particles, it would need to have a filter capable of working down to below 0.004 microns.

Actually, to be guaranteed protection then an ultraviolet filter would be needed too.

The only methods of home water filtration that work on this scale are reverse osmosis, and distillation.

Now water distillation cannot be measured in microns, but reverse osmosis can.

An RO membrane can filter down to an amazing 0.0001 microns or 0.00000001 cm.

Compare this with the most effective whole house filter that I am aware of, the Aquasana Rhino, which fights water contaminants down to 0.35 microns, and a typical carbon filter which could work from anywhere between 0.5 – 20 microns.

Each system has it’s positive and negative aspects, and the micron rating is not the only thing to be considered when buying a home water filter.

For example, a problem with chlorine would not require such strict filtration. Be aware though, that just any old water filter will not be a solution to water pollution for every problem.

Certain contaminants will only be removed by certain water filter types.

Make sure you know exactly what is wrong with your water before you commit to buying a home water filter

My name is Jon Godfrey, and I am the creator of Water Filter Answers.

With the advent of fracking and the increasing threat of pollution encroaching further into our lives, it has never been more important to regulate our daily drinking water.

We provide information on the impact that water filters may have on your drinking water. By explaining the science and breaking down the terminology, we hope that we can help you make the most informed decisions for your health.

We recognize that there are many ways to filter drinking water, and we want to show you the best method for each situation and budget. Aside from our extensive reviews of water filter systems, we also regularly publish informative articles on water quality and pollution.

We can counteract the effects of water pollution, but more importantly, we should try to reduce our impact on the environment.

https://waterfilteranswers.com/microns-mean-filters/