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Are you concerned about PFAS in drinking water? Here’s what the evidence says about home filters

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Recent reports about PFAS “forever chemicals” in Australian water supplies have sparked much controversy. Many people ask how they will remove these contaminants from their home drinking water.

In short, doing this effectively and efficiently at home is difficult and expensive.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides useful and clear advice about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the way they could be faraway from drinking water.

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One of the foremost challenges in removing PFAS chemicals from drinking water is the sheer number (over 10,000) of individual chemicals in this group. US authorities warn may cause cancer for an extended time frame. No single filtration or purification technology is 100% effective in removing them.

So what are the options? Can you filter an excessive amount of drinking water?



Four systems of treatment

US authorities reviewed dozens of controlled studies on easy methods to remove PFAS and other contaminants from drinking water. The costs related to many treatment options to remove PFAS could be high. Many of the most cost-effective filters won’t be effective.

There are 4 broad drinking water treatment systems to remove such contaminants in the home.

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1. Activated carbon

The first two treatment systems use an adsorption (somewhat than absorption) process to draw and capture PFAS and other contaminants from the water. Absorption occurs when one substance is absorbed by one other, but adsorption occurs when molecules persist with the surface of one other substance. Adsorption using “activated carbon” is a widely used industrial technology process for drinking water treatment to remove numerous substances.

Adsorption binds PFAS or other contaminants through ionic bonds using negatively or positively charged particles. This could be is used to filter water as “granulated activated carbon” or as “carbon block filters”. These are two broad forms of water filters that use activated carbon.

2. Ion exchange resins

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This second adsorption treatment uses different formulations of resin (or polymers) to chemically attract and remove goal contaminants in the water. Ion exchange filters use very small “microspheres” which have a big surface area to draw and take away contaminants.

Filtration elements similar to reverse osmosis membranes require maintenance.
damaradis/Shutterstock

3. Reverse osmosis

This process uses electricity to create pressure to push water through semi-permeable filtration membranes, normally fabricated from layers of polyester material. The membrane has tiny holes through which only water molecules can pass. This system creates a waste liquid, often called “brine”. It incorporates accrued chemicals and other substances that were unable to go through the membrane.

Reverse osmosis is a preferred technology used on a really large scale to purify water. For example, desalination plants use this technique to remove salt from seawater in order to acquire drinking water.

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Such systems are also widely available on a smaller scale for home water treatment. They are widely used in regional Australia where water sources are sometimes highly saline or contain other contaminants. They could be installed in home plumbing or smaller tabletop systems.

4. Distillation

The fourth treatment system is “distillation” From water. This process uses heat to boil water to create steam. It then allows the steam to chill and condense, then collects the resulting purified water.

It is just not widely used, even though it is one among the oldest water purification systems. It doesn’t at all times reliably produce clean water because many chemicals have a lower boiling point than water. As a result, they may evaporate, condense and contaminate the processed water.

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The means of boiling water by itself won’t remove PFAS chemicals.

There is such a thing as too clean

A word of warning: drinking demineralized water produced by reverse osmosis or distillation can have numerous unfavorable consequences.

People need minerals similar to calcium and magnesium provided by drinking water. Although many essential minerals come from food and a balanced eating regimen, a scarcity of them in water can disrupt an individual’s electrolyte balance and may cause numerous disorders health problems. If you drink demineralized water, it will be clever to hunt it out Medical advice.

In addition, demineralized water could also be aggressive to water and sewage systems, increasing the rate of corrosion of pipes and household appliances. This can dissolve metals from the plumbing into drinking water, as shown in a very large scale when a brand new water source caused corrosion and increased lead levels in Flint, Michigan.

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water treatment plant from above
Treatment at the drinking water source is a significantly better long-term option.
AU USAnakul/Shutterstock

The most significant thing

Finding information on the best system to remove PFAS chemicals from drinking water is difficult. Guidance from Australian government agencies and the water industry seems absent or inadequate. And finding impartial advice is difficult.

My own advice, based on published research, would probably be a reverse osmosis filter, a two-stage “under the sink” type.

Detailed 2020 study drinking water and PFAS in greater than 60 U.S. homes were tested. This demonstrated near complete removal of all PFAS chemicals by reverse osmosis, dual filtration systems. Carbon filters were less efficient, with a maximum efficiency of 70% in removing these contaminants.

Homeowners can even have to be sure that PFAS filtration systems are recurrently maintained. With installation, this could be very expensive. The simplest stationary carbon filter system will cost AUD 100-200. All filters turn into clogged and require cleansing or substitute. Replacement filters cost around $30-$80.

Under-sink reverse osmosis systems are dearer, starting from $400 to over $1,000. You might want to hire a plumber for installation. Again, the system requires cleansing and maintenance.

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Australian governments should require regular testing of all municipal water supplies nationwide. Many supplies likely already meet the stringent latest US PFAS standards.

Finally, search for information about PFAS in drinking water water supplierHome filtration in your area may simply be a waste of cash!

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This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

New research shows that over 3,000 beauty and hair products sold to black women are toxic. Did your tested and highways make a cut?

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If you are fascinated by referring the range of products on the shelf in the lavatory, you may start by throwing the entire.

AND New study By Environmental work group (EEC) In cooperation with the founded black, completely natural online market BLK + GRN Over 3000, or almost 80%, were found, personal hygiene items sold to black women contain at the very least one toxic ingredient.

“I think most people believe that if something has reached the store, they must be safe. It’s just not true – said the founder of BLK + GRN, Kristian Edwards In the last film About the report.

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“Everyone deserves access to safe products,” wrote Friedman. “The purpose of the report was to equip consumers with knowledge about chemicals in their personal hygiene products.”

Friedman emphasized among the most harmful product components, including the discharge of formaldehyde, isotiazolinone and an undisclosed smell. Explained that preservatives releasing formaldehyde may cause skin reactions and ultimately expose consumers to formaldehyde, a carcinogen. Meanwhile, Friedman noticed that undisclosed fragrances might be any of the 300 different potentially dangerous ingredients with cancer and reproductive health problems. Half -lasting products The results, comparable to relaxors and hair dyeing, are not very disturbing.

After the primary have a look at ListMany consumers can hurry to throw away all their potentially causing cancer shelf. However, Edwards noticed within the film that this list was not intended to cause “fear”.

Understanding this suggested compromise. If there may be a high-level product, with which you absolutely cannot part-nutrition with the outcomes that you have got taken years, or sunscreen that softened your gearbox-to threaten something different with a high level, from which your routine is less dependent.

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“Black women are often between a stone and a difficult place,” Edwards continued. “To adapt, they must use these products with all these toxic ingredients in them.”

The Skin Deep Database EEC launched in 2004 takes labor in the method for consumers. The online resource includes dozens of products assessed on the idea of their ingredients, safety and regulatory information.

The latest study, published in February, is an update of the 2016 EEC study, which was checked whether there was a significant change in toxicity of products with specific demographic markings. In 2016, the report was analyzed by just over 1000 products. Despite finding almost 80% of products sold to black women, it still incorporates at the very least one toxic ingredient, Friedman confirmed that there was some improvement in almost a decade; However, toxicity persists.

The report also appears as one other related to black personal care, it’s headers. Last month, Consumer reports He stated that the ten hottest synthetic hair brands contain toxic chemicals.

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Friedman claims that the trail forward should “prioritize further research, better safety standards and increased transparency from producers, ultimately supporting the market in which black women can confidently choose products without an additional burden on the disorientation of exposure and health results.”

It was visible for Halle Berry when she saw Adrien Brody on the Red Oscars carpet

(Tagstranslate) black hair products

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Health and Wellness

Gabourey Sidibe says that her husband, Brandon Frankel, is not playing about her

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Gabourey Sidibe says that her husband, Brandon Frankel, is not playing about her

Gabourey Sidibe/Instagram

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One of our favourite twin moms, actress Gabourey Sidibe makes everyone faint. Talking to the Essence Black Women in Hollywood awards, Sidibe explained that her husband Brandon Frankel had her back. Talent agent often loves the actress and their children loudly through his website on Instagram.

When the reporter said Frankel was not “playing”, she confirmed the saying: “He doesn’t, and I deserve everything, okay?! Come here now. If you step on my dress, he’ll be here. “

The actress continued: “As if she was in Waśnia with many things,” she continued. “I have to think that someone gave me an attitude because he replies them forever.”

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The couple got engaged and got married in 2020 after the meeting Raya dating application – the identical platform Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens met. In April 2024, they welcomed their twin girls and boys, Cooper and Maya, to the world.

Sidibe continued: “He will be beef with my grandmother about me. And I deserve it. And I love him so much, and I also with many people for him. “The priceless actress confessed that she did not think that their relationship passed the primary few dates during a conversation with people.

“Our first date, literally for the first six dates, when we left, I would say:” Okay, say goodbye without end, “she said. “I never intended to see him again. And now he is at home. “

“When you talk about radical love, I realize – and it sounds selfish – but I noticed that I like who I used to be after I was with him. I liked the ways during which I could develop due to loving him and being loved by him – continued Sidibe.

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“I didn’t know that the person I was today existed. And it only exists because of how much he loves me – she added. “Is it not crazy? 10 years ago I might hit the face. “

“My husband is a guy, only this guy,” she concluded. Frankel celebrated his Queen Post awards with a funny and charming post on Instagram, recognizing the role of his wife as a working mother.

“So @GabBYSIDIBE I was caught on Brunch Essence, so when she returned home from being a very important working woman, I had to take her photos in my mother’s mode. This series is a great example of an attempt to get two very excited young children to behave on a photo 🤣 ” – read his signature. Talent agent has published a series of photos of the actress holding the twins and mainly mommy.

“Anyway, how wonderful my wife is? He can go out and do her, return home and immediately back to my mother. So grateful for three, you illuminate my whole world so bright ❤️❤️❤️ “, the signature has ended.

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This queen deserves every little bit of this radical love; We pray that all black women receive the identical.


This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

I am a medical forensic examiner. Here’s what people can expect from a health response from sexual assault

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Estimated one in five women and one in 16 men In Australia, she experienced sexual violence.

After such a traumatic experience, it’s comprehensible that many are usually not sure in the event that they wish to report it to the police. In fact, Less than 10% Australian women who experience sexual assault, if he gives a police report.

In Australia it’s No closing date After notifying the sexual assault to the police. However, there are strict time frames for collecting forensic evidence, which can sometimes be a very important a part of a police investigation, no matter whether it begins.

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This implies that the choice whether to undergo a medical forensic examination should be taken quite quickly after the assault.

I work as a medical forensic examiner. Here’s what you can expect for those who present a medical forensic examination after sexual assault.

A team of specialists

There are about 100 sexual assault services in Australia, providing 24-hour care. As with other healthcare areas, there are additional challenges in regional and rural areaswhere there are sometimes further distances from travel and deficiencies.

Sexual assault services in Australia are free, whatever the status of Medicare. To find the closest service, you can call 1800 respect (1800 737 732) or Full stop australia (1800 385 578) who can also provide immediate support for telephone counseling.

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It is very important to call the local sexual assault service before appearing. They can provide victims to experience information and advice to stop delay and make the method as helpful as possible.

Consultations often occur within the Hospital Emergency Department, which has a designated forensic apartment or within the Specialist Forensic Service.

The victim-over is seen by doctor or nurse Trained in the sphere of medical and criminal care. There is a sexual assault, crisis worker or social employee to support the patient and provides advice on advice. This known as “Integrated answer“With medical and psychosocial employees working together.

In most cases, the victim’s survival might also have the presence of his own support person.

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Depending on what the victim is wants, the doctor or nurse will take the history of the robbery to conduct any medical care which may be needed (e.g. emergency anticretation) and conduct the examination.

Sexual assault services are all the time very conscious dishes to victims of selection in the sphere of medical forensic examination. If a person presents a sexual assault service, he can receive advice and medical care without undergoing forensic examinations if he doesn’t wish to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cglbtgia0ek

Sexual assault services include all sexes.

Collecting forensic samples

Samples collected during a medical forensic examination can sometimes discover the DNA of the perpetrator or intoxicants (alcohol or drugs that can be relevant to the examination). . Possibility window Collecting these samples can be as short as 12 hours or as much as 5-7 days, depending on the character of the sexual assault.

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In most Australia, an adult who has experienced a recent sexual assault, you can offer a medical forensic examination without submitting a report for the police.

Depending on the condition or territory of the forensic samples, you can often store for 3 to 12 months (as much as 100 years in Tasmania). This allows victims of time to survive definitely whether or not they wish to release them to the police for processing.

A health care provider or nurse will take samples using a sexual assault investigation kit or “rape set”.

Collecting these samples may include taking swabs to detect DNA from external and internal genital areas and wherever DNA transfer may occur. This may come from skin cells during which the perpetrator affected the victim’s snack or from body fluids, including sperm or saliva.

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A health care provider or nurse conducting the examination is minimized by re -traumatization, providing information, elections and control of the victim at every stage of the method.

The victim-overhang can often have a support person with him.
Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

What about sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy?

During the consultation, the doctor or nurse will address all fears about sexually transmitted infections (sti) and pregnancy if concerned.

In most cases, the danger of sexually transmitted diseases is low. But check tests for 1-2 weeks by way of infection, reminiscent of chlamydia and gonorrhea, and after 6-12 weeks In the case of infections reminiscent of syphilis and HIV, it is normally advisable.

Emergency contraception can be provided (sometimes called “in the morning after a pill”) prevent pregnancy. It can be downloaded as much as five days after sexual assault (however the faster) with pregnancy tests advisable after 2-3 weeks.

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Everything has improved over time

When I was a younger doctor at the tip of the 90s, taking foreheads were often chargeable for an busy international trainee and gynecology on the Emergency Department, which regularly managed many patients and had a small training in the sphere of criminalistics. Usually there was no supporting advisor.

Anegdotically each the doctor and the patient were traumatic through this experience. Studies show that when specialized integrated services are usually not provided, a sense of powerlessness of the victim They are enlarged.

But the way in which we conduct medical forensic examinations after sexual assault in Australia has improved through the years.

Thanks to practices focused on the patient and the appointed criminal and advisory staff, the patient’s experience is believed Strengthening position than for re -traumatizing.

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A sign before the Australian police station.
Less than 10% of Australian women who experience sexual assault, in the event that they even submit a police report.
Melissa Meehan/AAP

Our research

In latest studies published in Australian Journal of General PracticeMy colleagues and I studied the experience of medical criminal examination from the angle of a victim.

We analyzed 291 patients who provide sexual assault services in New South Wales (where I work) for 4 years.

About 75% of patients said that the study was calming and one other 20% said it was high-quality. Only 2% said it was traumatic. Most (98%) stated that they’d recommend a friend present within the service of sexual assault in the event that they were in a similar situation.

While patients talked positively in regards to the care received, many commented that the sexual assault service was not visible enough. They didn’t know learn how to find it and even existed.

We know that many victims’ victims don’t present a sexual assault service or undergo a medical forensic examination after sexual assault. So we must do more to extend the visibility of those services.

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This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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