Knowledge Center

In the past, Reverse osmosis (RO) water filtration technology was used primarily for military and space technology applications in the 1970s and 1980s. However, due to the deterioration of water quality worldwide, this filtration technology is now widely adopted, particularly for drinking water. In fact, in North American countries, RO filtration has become the fastest-growing type of residential drinking water filter. Recent market research reports indicate that more than half of Canadians and Americans reportedly drink only filtered water or bottled water. In response to market demand and the need for high-quality drinking water, many households today, and even major bottled water brands such as Coca-Cola (Dasani) and Pepsi (Aquafina), use reverse osmosis (RO) technology to treat drinking water. The most important component of an RO system, which could also be called a “super filter”, is a semi-permeable, sealed membrane that allows only pure water to pass through. Most water-soluble and non-water-soluble microparticles—including harmful substances such as arsenic (commonly known as arsenic), copper, iron, lead, chromium, fluoride, radium, nitrates (from chemical fertilizers), and bacteria—are filtered out and removed. RO significantly eliminates odors and discoloration from water, producing pure water that is healthy and absolutely safe to drink. RO systems feature an automatic self-cleaning function, whereas conventional filters typically use activated carbon, which can only remove some impurities, odors, and color from the water and automatically lose their filtering capacity once the specified water usage limit is reached. Therefore, reverse osmosis (RO) drinking water filters have become the safest, most hygienic, and most effective water [...]

Through various sources such as dust, paint, soil, water, or food—prolonged accumulation or short-term excessive exposure, contact, ingestion, or consumption of lead-containing substances can lead to lead poisoning. The human body does not naturally contain lead. Lead is a harmful inorganic heavy metal that can damage any organ in the body, with the greatest impact on children and pregnant women. The dangers of lead poisoning are becoming increasingly recognized. If children absorb excessive amounts of lead, it can lead to symptoms such as slow learning, hyperactivity, hearing loss, mental retardation, loss of appetite, and developmental delays. Pregnant women may experience side effects such as miscarriages, infertility, or mental retardation in their infants. For adults, lead poisoning can also cause high blood pressure, anemia, kidney failure, memory loss, and damage to the nervous and digestive systems. In severe cases, it can be fatal. Lead can contaminate drinking water by leaching from municipal water pipes, indoor plumbing, and faucets; even lead-free copper pipes may have been soldered with lead. According to reports, most interior walls in buildings constructed before 1978 were painted with lead-based paint. Certain medications, vitamins, and food or juice cans may also contain lead. The symptoms of lead poisoning are not obvious and may be mistaken for other illnesses. As lead poisoning becomes more severe, patients may experience a loss of appetite, fatigue, headaches, tooth decay, insomnia, and memory loss, among several other problems. Surgery cannot remove lead from the body. To prevent lead poisoning, one should avoid and eliminate sources of lead, [...]

To prevent harmful bacteria and microorganisms from being present in water sources and water distribution pipes, most countries add chlorine to their municipal water supplies to treat and eliminate bacteria and microorganisms. However, because chlorine is an extremely reactive oxidizing agent, it forms byproducts that are harmful to human health when it comes into contact with fatty acids in animals or humans, as well as other water-soluble or volatile chemical substances (VOCs). Experiments have shown that these byproducts can cause skin allergies, high blood pressure, and heart disease; in severe cases, they can even lead to terminal illnesses such as liver cancer, stomach cancer, bladder cancer, and colon cancer. Studies indicate that chlorine and its byproducts (such as THMs) can enter the body through the skin and respiratory system while showering, causing harm. They can also spread to other areas of the home, polluting the air and affecting every member of the household. By conservative estimates, during a ten-minute shower, the body absorbs a concentration of byproducts through the skin and respiratory system equivalent to drinking eight glasses of water. Preventive measures include avoiding the consumption of chlorinated tap water as much as possible. You can install a chlorine-removing filter on your tap. When showering, use an effective showerhead filter and a central water purification system.By Michael Chiu, MWS, CIPreviously published in Ming Pao Daily News

Due to geographical conditions, most municipal water supplies and private well water in North America—including Canada (excluding the Maritime provinces)—are hard water. Hard water is perfectly fine for outdoor uses such as watering gardens, washing parking spaces, and sprinkling lawns. However, for indoor uses—such as showering, shaving, washing dishes, furniture, and clothes, as well as for appliances that use large amounts of water, such as air conditioners, humidifiers, and washing machines—soft water offers better benefits and results than hard water. The drawbacks of hard water include the need for more detergent or soap when washing; soap scum left on bathroom tiles, which can harbor bacteria and be difficult to clean; stains remaining on cups, plates, and porcelain ware after washing; limescale reducing the efficiency of home water heaters, leading to significantly higher gas and electricity bills; shortening the lifespan of appliances; and soap scum and limescale residue on the skin and hair, which can cause inflammation and sensitivity issues. The primary minerals responsible for water hardness are calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. When these substances dissolve in water, they cause the water to become hard. According to Water Quality Association standards, water is considered hard if its hardness exceeds 1 degree (1 GPG). Water Hardness Standards: - Soft water – Less than 1 GPG - Slightly hard water – 1–3.5 GPG - Moderately hard water – 3.5–7 GPG - Hard water – 7–10.5 GPG - Very hard water – Over 10.5 GPG Water hardness in Ontario ranges from 1 to 120 GPG: North Bay [...]