Is Carbon Dust From Water Filters Harmful?

Safe drinking water is essential, and not simply for its flavor. Drinking water may include wide contaminants, some of which harm one’s health. Both organic and non-organic particles may be found among these pollutants. So, people use water filtration to avoid health risks. But, once the water has been filtered, you may see black dust floating around. This is questionable to anyone whether these particles are safe to drink or not. Yet, most of the time, people assume that “Is carbon dust from water filters harmful for you?” In this manual, we’ll address these issues and more.

Key Takeaways

• Activated charcoal, used in water filters, comes in the form of either a solid block or loose granules.
• Charcoal filters remove toxic particles from water.
• Minerals in water are not eliminated by using a carbon filter.

What is carbon dust?

Almost all water filters contain something called activated carbon, yours might too. This is the key material that filters your water. One gram of activated carbon has an large surface area, making it ideal for filters. Because of this, an activated carbon filter can absorb much more pollutants than a regular carbon filter. As a result, we notice black spots in our water after filtration. But you may ask, what is that, or is that black spot safe to drink? This black spot is carbon dust. Particles may be traced back to Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) that didn’t make it through the filter and ended up in your jug. These are safe to drink and won’t affect how well your water filter works in the container.

Are charcoal filters safe?

Water filter charcoal is different from grilling charcoal. Activated charcoal, used in water filters, comes in the form of either a solid block or loose granules. It is chemical-free and efficient at eliminating contaminants like volatile organic compounds and chlorine from water without affecting the water’s natural PH balance. Now the question is, are charcoal filters safe? Yes, it is safe to use.

However, charcoal water filter has some side effects too- They are

• Charcoal filtering doesn’t remove all nitrates, bacteria, viruses, and minerals. Unlike metals, these components flow through carbon filters. The filtered water isn’t dangerous, and tap water is routinely treated to eliminate germs and other microorganisms, so it’s not often a huge concern when this material passes through. However, if your water has coliform, you need to filter it.
• To remove fluoride, certain charcoal filters use an ion exchange mechanism. Cavities are more likely to form in teeth if the fluoride is removed inadvertently. Use fluoride-rich toothpaste to make up the gap.
• Using a charcoal filter may increase the number of bacteria in the water supply if it is an old filter. This is made worse by the damp environment of the jug, which is ideal for bacterial growth. Using an old filter may get you ill.

Benefits of carbon water filters

• Carbon water filters use activated charcoal to remove toxic organic molecules from water while letting valuable minerals pass through. But sometimes, a charcoal filter cannot remove harmful germs and bacteria. So, another filter needs to add to it.
• Carbon filters remove toxic particles from water. At the same time, minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron also add to your water supply to improve your drinking water overall.
• A carbon filter not only absorbs the scent, but they’re also efficient at reducing smells, making the water more drinkable.
• A carbon water filter is cheap to buy from the market.
• Installing this water filter couldn’t be simpler. Every component is readily accessible for replacement.

Harmful effects of carbon dust from water filters

Carbon dust from water filters does not harm human health, but the water does not look good. As EPA does not regulate water filters, there is no unsafe level of carbon consume.

Some doctors claim drinking this carbon dust have several favorable effects on one’s health, including the cleaning of the blood, the whitening of the teeth, and a reduction in both flatulence and bloating. However, this claim is not certified by a scientific community study. So, carbon in filtered water at such low levels is doubtful to be an issue.

See Also: What Is The Black Stuff In My Water Filter?

The best way to clean a water filter

It is more cost-effective to clean and reuse an old water filter in the long run than purchasing a new cartridge every month. The second option is not only more wasteful but also more costly.

Carbon blocks may effectively remove many impurities when combined with other filtration methods, leaving you with clean water.

There is a valve on your water filter

You need to turn this valve so that the pipe is perpendicular to it. However, yours may be different. In addition, you may need to adjust an extra valve to separate the water filter globe. Finally, certain pressure filters will need to be released. A button on top is pressed. Catch the overflow with a towel.

A variety of filter options available

Synthetic fiber pleated and carbon-based filters can be cleaned, while most paper filters cannot. You’ll have to unscrew the filter’s transparent housing using a tool to take out a synthetic pleated filter. A separate opaque housing system that screws off at the top is possible.

It is common for carbon-based filters to feature a plastic netting to hold the paper portion of the filter in place. You’ll need to take the net off before cleaning the filter. Next, cut along the top edge of the netting, beneath the first ring, using a box cutter. The carbon should be sliced through to the underlying paper. While you should remove the net entirely, it will be simpler to keep track of if you leave a narrow strip of the paper intact.

Clean the filters

You should always start cleaning a filter by flushing out the bulk of the grime using a garden hose. A pleated filter may be cleaned by exposing it to a powerful water spray in a sink or outdoors. Unwind the paper from the carbon filter. Don’t lose any pieces by spraying the paper and the carbon below it.

Using oxalic acid and bleach

Get as much water out of the pleated filter as you can and replace it. Add some oxalic acid and let it rest for approximately 20 minutes or until the dish is clean. One method for creating a carbon-based filter only requires dissolving a spoonful of bleach in a gallon of water. Scrub the paper with a soft bristle brush, then immerse the whole filter for 5-10 minutes in the bleach solution.

Once the filter is clean, wash it. If you don’t want to throw away the acid, you may either reuse it or neutralize it with baking soda. Also, when you’ve finished cleaning the housing of the acid, give it a quick rinse in clean water. To clean the filter, remove it from its housing and submerge it in clean water for a few minutes before pouring it out and doing it again.

Place half an ounce of bleach in a tiny cup, then fill the remainder with water. Do this before inserting the pleated filter into the housing. Then, drop it inside the container. This method is useful for killing off potentially dangerous microorganisms.

Putting it back in

The filter should be centered when you replace it. Assemble the filter’s housing back onto its central component by tightening the screws. Just fill it with water, and when it gets to the top, click the pressure button to let the air out.

See Also: Why Are Refrigerator Water Filters So Expensive?

Carbon Block Filters You Can Trust

There are several carbon blocks filters you can get in the market. A top-tier water filter, however, is the Frizzlife carbon water filter. The Frizzlife carbon water filter is a two-stage filtration system. At first, it filters out particles, chlorine, and odorous chemicals. Yet, the water that went through the Frizzlife filter was clean every time. You don’t need to add another filter and pay the extra installation fee.

The installation process was fast and easy, although you had to use your wrenches since the ones provided were worthless plastic.

See Also: Do Water Filter Pitchers Have To Be Refrigerated?

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Water filters, which use carbon dust and other particles, may discolor the water or leave behind a smoky residue. The carbon dust in your water is safe to drink. However, if you really want to remove it, just a thorough wash of your water filters is enough to get rid of it.