Increasing concern with the quality of water motivates manufacturer to develop a shower head filter that will remove harmful chlorine.
Although chlorine is necessary to keep our water safe from bacteria, ongoing studies show it could be harmful when inhaled and absorbed through the skin during hot showers. The newly developed Sunbeam Health at Home shower filter heads can remove up to 99% of the harmful chlorine found in shower water.
Most municipally treated water contains chlorine, which is used to prevent bacteria growth in a much similar manner as it is used in swimming pools to prevent algae growth. "The levels of chlorine measured in our water varies depending on the time of day, with the highest levels mostly measured in the morning and late evening, when most people shower," says Guillermo Guzman, president of H2O International Inc. "Chlorine also contributes to dry skin, dry hair and color fading."
Unlike traditional bulky shower filters the filtering heads are decorative, compact in design and available in three finishes to suit customer preferences. They are manufactured with a patented media that removes the free chlorine from the water and are currently undergoing testing for certification by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) who recently developed Standard 177 for Shower Filtration Systems. The Standard was finalized by NSF in mid-2004 and it is a statement to how important shower water has become. Preliminary tests by an independent laboratory show the filtered heads remove up to 99% of the free chlorine in the water and should be replaced every 6 to 9 months, much less frequently than faucet filters.
According to the 2004 Water Quality Association Consumers Attitudes Survey, 64% of Americans are concerned about the quality of their water -- 20% higher than the 2001 survey reported. Nearly half of all Americans (45%) feel their water is not as safe as it should be -- a 10% increase compared to 2001. With these numbers on the rise, manufacturers are now focusing on the shower water as well as the water on the tap, according to Association members.
Source: H2O International Inc.
