Despite a BA in Microbiology, this purchase still took plenty of additional study and research for me as there is so much confusing information out there. As I am the one tasked to prepare my families survival strategy for either a potential bug-out situation or a longer term situation for water purification, I want to get it right. I'll explain why I purchased this tablet along with other water purification methods, but first let me comment on the packaging of these tablets I received specifically. It's great that each tablet is packaged individually, in foil packets, with a nice instruction card and with instructions printed also on the back of each of the small individual foil packets. The individual packaging is important if you only need to use a few tablets, then want to keep the rest for a later time. Tablets that come in bottles must be used in a short period of time once you open the bottle. Not so with these. Good feature, but still not the main reason I chose chlorine dioxide as the preferred type of chemical disinfection .
First, in a bug-out emergency, our most likely water purification needs will be to purify lake, river, stream, pond or other standing water. No matter the waters appearance, it can be contaminated by animal or even human waste. Thus we're looking to kill or reduce the following organisms - which are the Big Four most water treatments target:
1) Cryptosporidium, and
2) Giarlia lamblia
3) Bacteria such as E. coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella
4) Viruses such as enterovirus, hepatitis A, norovirus, rotavirus that may have contaminated the water via feces or other means
Here's the bottom line - as short as I can make it.
1) BOILING water (a full rapid boil for 1 minute) (a full rapid boil 3 minutes minimum if over 6000' elevation) REMAINS THE #1 METHOD TO PURIFY WATER -- It will kill ALL four groups of pathogens listed above PROVIDED you make sure you don't have large particles of gunk in the water that trap these microorganisms inside the particles. If you do have particles in the water, filter them out first (crude filter) and rapidly stir the water while it's coming to a boil, so you don't have any organisms hidden inside the particles. (We use coffee filters to "prefilter" out the gunk - doesn't sterilize by any means - just removes most of the gunk). .
2) IF YOU CAN'T BOIL WATER - then use A COMBINATION of FILTRATION & CHEMICAL DISINFECTION.
Use a High Quality Water Filter (see separate research yourself on what you need here) with small enough pours to filter out # 1, #2 and #3 organisms above AND one that is tested and rated to be effective against these 3 groups of organisms. NOTE -- FILTRATION doesn't filter out VIRUSES, which are very tiny (~ down to about 0.02 microns in diameter). Viruses this small will flow right through even the most expensive water filtration bottles of .1 or .2 microns. Don't be fooled by a $200 price tag on a water bottle without reading just WHAT it will or won't filter out. Good filtration bottles (systems) WILL be very effective against # 1, 2 and 3,
So now, if you want to also KILL those viruses that may be in the water, (and I do) you first filter, then purify with a chemical disinfectant. All three Chemical disinfectants (iodine, chlorine and chlorine dioxide) individually ALL have a +++ / ++++ tested effectiveness rating against the VIRUSES mentioned above, as tested by CDC. A +++ rating in these studies means highly effective against these Viruses.
USING THIS METHOD (Combination of Filtration and Chemical Disinfection) = ups the effectiveness rating. This combo method earns a CDC effectiveness rating of 4/4 stars (very high effectiveness) for both Protozoans and Bacteria and a 3/4 Star rating (high effectiveness) for effectiveness against Viruses. See the CDC report Drinking Water Treatment Methods for Backcountry and Travel Use for data and type and rating of Filters used together with one of the chemical disinfectants.
#3) BUT SUPPOSE YOU CAN'T BOIL WATER and DON'T HAVE A FILTER -- WHICH Chemical Disinfectant will you use and why? THIS I NOT AN UNLIKELY SITUATION if a bug-out emergency.
While the chemical disinfectants iodine and chlorine dioxide are rated by CDC as equally effective against BACTERIA AND VIRUSES (called "highly effective" with a +++ / ++++ (3 / 4) effectiveness rating, they are NOT equally effective against the Protozoans. In this scenario, you'll find that Chlorine Dioxide is more effective individually against the protozoans. Of course, you have to use each chemical per the Manufacturer's directions.
For Cryptosporidium: IODINE used by itself, is NOT EFFECTIVE against this protozoan. See CDC and other University studies. CHLORINE DIOXIDE is rated (CDC) as having a 1 - 2 out of 4 (+ to ++ / ++++) rating against Cryptosporidium for water purification effectiveness. (Low to moderate effectiveness) by itself.
2) Giardia lamblia: IODINE, used by itself, is only rated with a + or ++ / 4 effectiveness rating against G. lamblia while Chlorine Dioxide is rated at +++ / 4 effectiveness, which in their terms is highly effective. See CDC results.
Yes - I know you'll see lots of survival websites and shows which pull out their 2% Iodine and drop ~ 5 drops in a Lter or so of water, wait 30 minutes then drink. I'm not saying iodine doesn't work against Bacteria and Viruses - it does. It is just NOT effective against Cryptosporidium. I myself do keep 2% Tincture of Iodine in my survival bag and wouldn't leave home without it -- BUT -- IT JUST WOULDN'T BE MY FIRST CHOICE OF A CHEMICAL DISINFECTANT if I couldn't boil water nor my first choice to use on filtered water in a combo method of water purification. I'd use Chlorine Dioxide instead, and that's why I bought these tablets. even if i have to wait longer for it to kill Cryptosporidium. This is not an inestinal parasite you want hooked up to the lining of your intestine when you're in a survival situation especially if you're already potentially dehydrated, but even if not.
Thus, I believe in playing the odds and I prefer trusting scientific research to affiliate links. I am not an affiliate nor getting any discount or other incentive for this review.
Bottom line -- if you're planning on survival -- hopefully you'll be able to boil all your drinking water.Always the first best most effective method. But that may just not be possible, so get a high quality filter, buy chlorine dioxide tabs, and keep iodine tabs as a backup when those are gone. All are small enough to keep in a small bag and have a decent shelf life. It's NOT worth the risk not being prepared if you have to leave home with limited supplies.
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 8.23 x 3.03 x 0.59 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 0.02 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 12 x 2 x 2 inches |
| Brand Name | Katadyn |
| Warranty Description | Manufacturer Warranty |
| Model Name | 8014996 |
| Color | Black |
| Material | Synthetic |
| Suggested Users | unisex-adult |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Manufacturer | Katadyn |
| Part Number | 8014996 |
| Style | Tablets |
| Included Components | Micropur Tablets (Per 20) |
| Size | 20 Pack |
| Sport Type | Camping & Hiking |
| Fishing Technique | Spinning, Casting |
