Chlorine is used in municipal water treatment facilities to kill bacteria and viruses and is very effective at doing exactly that. However, when chlorine interacts with the organic matter naturally found in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, a group of chemicals called trihalomethanes (THMs) is formed as an unintended byproduct. THMs are among the many types of contaminants in water that millions of households are drinking every single day - without being fully aware of them.
Phoenix Gravity believes that every family has the right to understand the contents of their water supply. So, let's first explain what THMs are, without any confusing aspects.
What Exactly Are Trihalomethanes?
THMs are unintended chemical byproducts formed when your drinking water is disinfected. They do not form intentionally. Chlorine reacting with organic material will create THMs in source water (such as lakes, rivers, and reservoirs).
Four THM compounds are regulated in drinking water:
- Bromodichloromethane
- Chloroform
- Dibromochloromethane
- Bromoform
What Does Science Actually Say About Health Risks?
This is where we want to be straightforward with you - because this matters.
Both chloroform and bromoform are classified as likely carcinogens (cancer causing agents) by the EPA; bromodichloromethane has been associated with animal studies that note liver, kidney and intestinal tumors; also, that it may cause problems regarding reproduction (due to low birth-weight babies and miscarriages); dibromochloromethane has shown liver and kidney cancers in rats as well and is also thought to be a possible carcinogen (cancer causing agent) to humans by the EPA.
A study has been conducted that includes research from 11 studies conducted in the United States and Europe, which shows that drinking water containing these by-products can increase the risk of developing bladder cancer.
The study cites information obtained from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sources, as well as peer-reviewed studies; therefore, these claims may not be considered outlandish or fringe. THMs in drinking water are a real and documented concern, regardless of whether or not they fall within the current "legal" limits established by the EPA.
Wait - Isn't My Water Already Regulated?
The EPA sets a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) in drinking water of 0.08 mg/L (or 80 parts per billion). This rule has been around since 1979 and was updated in 1998.
However, the MCL is based on the total of four THMs combined. The EPA has set separate health goals (called MCLGs) for each THM, but these are non-enforceable targets and not a legal requirement. Therefore, your water could be fully compliant while containing levels of THMs that, according to scientists, would not be safe for long-term health.
Compliant does not mean completely safe for your family, and that distinction matters for your family.
You're Not Just Exposed Through Drinking
Most people do not realize that the TTHMs drinking water do not only affect you when you drink a glass of water. When you shower with hot water, the THMs can become airborne and either be inhaled into your lungs or absorbed by your skin. When you boil water for cooking or for tea, the THMs can enter the air of your house. Studies show that if you shower in THM-containing water, your blood levels of THMs are greater than after drinking that same water.
That means the contaminants in water flowing through your home come to you through a variety of means.
What Actually Works: Activated Carbon Filtration
Phoenix Gravity uses this type of filtration for its gravity-based water filters, which use two phases of coconut shell-based carbon filtration to remove THMs.
PHASE 1 - SEDIMENT & MICROPLASTICS REMOVAL
In the first phase of filtration, Phoenix Gravity physically removes the larger particles, such as sediment and microplastics, from the water flowing through the carbon block.
PHASE 2 - REMOVAL OF THMs
In the second phase of filtration, the water is passed through a dense coconut shell-based activated carbon block that chemically bonds with and removes THMs (volatile organic compounds) from the water before ever reaching the glass.
Activated carbon made from coconut shells has been proven to be one of the most efficient filter media available for removing contaminants in water, such as THMs, chlorine, PFAS, heavy metals, and pharmaceutical residues from drinking water, due to the density, large amount of pore space, and food safety of the media.
Unlike reverse osmosis systems, Phoenix Gravity leaves the beneficial minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium) intact in the water. Therefore, you are drinking clean water rather than pure water.
Why Phoenix Gravity Water Filter?
For over 50 years, we have focused on gaining an accurate and in-depth understanding of what households face concerning water quality.
What Makes Our System Special
- AISI Grade 304 Stainless Steel Housing - No Plastics
- $0.05 per Gallon - Less than Bottled Water
- 12-month filter life - Low Maintenance, High Performance
- No Electricity or Plumber Required - Sits on Countertop
- 10 Year Warranty and 100 Day Money-Back Guarantee
Clean water should not be complicated or costly. We created the Phoenix Gravity Water Filter to provide simplicity in accessing pure water.
Final Thought
Chlorination has provided Americans with safe drinking water for over 100 years- this fact must be acknowledged! Unfortunately, science has shown that chlorination also creates an entirely new set of contaminants in water, which pose major long-term health risks.
The answer is not to panic; it is to filter intelligently.
That's what the activated carbon technology developed by Phoenix Gravity was designed to eliminate trihalomethane water contamination and dozens of other impurities, providing truly clean water for homes at a price you can afford.
Contact Phoenix Gravity now to gain control over your water quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Are THMs in tap water actually dangerous, or is this overstated?
The health problems of using trihalomethane water have been well reported, and the EPA takes them very seriously. Research has linked long-term daily exposure to these chemicals to an increased risk of developing bladder cancer, as well as other types of health problems, including liver, kidney, and reproductive problems.
Q2. Can I just boil my water to remove THMs?
No. Unfortunately, boiling the water causes the THMs to vaporize, which will make them get released into the air inside your house, where you will breathe them. The best way to get rid of TTHMs from your drinking water is to use activated carbon block filtration.
Q3. Is my water "safe" if it meets EPA limits?
Just because your water meets the EPA's standards does not mean that it is safe for consumption. The EPA's health goals for THMs are often stricter than the legally enforceable limit, which means just meeting the EPA's limit does not guarantee that your drinking water is safe. Thus, many people choose to filter their water for safety.
Q4. Am I only exposed to THMs when I drink water?
Not only do you drink THMs, but you also get exposed to them through your skin (showering/bathing) and through inhaling heater steam (cooking). Thus, using a filter that reduces contaminants at the usage point matters for more than just drinking.
Q5. How does Phoenix Gravity remove THMs?
The Phoenix Gravity filter contains a dense activated carbon block made from coconut shells. THMs naturally stick to the block as the water passes through, thus removing them before they get into your glass. The housing of the filter is made of 100% stainless steel, which means that no environmental contamination will come back into the water from the plastic.