Several of the products we offer are fully tested by an independent lab to ensure compliance with the National Sanitation Foundation's (NSF) measurement standards. The following definitions, data tables and chemical testing results provide a more specific and technical analysis of these NSF-benchmarked products. Also defined are some specific terms you may have seen on our product pages.

1. What is Eaglyte?
2. What is TTHM?
3. What are Organics?
4. NSF International Standards
5. Advanced Carbon and How It Works
6. Information on Capacity Ratings

WHAT IS EAGLYTE?
     The Eagle Spring Filtration, Inc. patented mineral media called Eaglyte is like any ordinary filter media in that the mesh size is 10 - 100 (US) and it forms a bed through which the water flows. Dirt and sand particles are removed down to 40 microns. From this point on, a filter with Eaglyte and GAC is unlike any other filter, because Eaglyte converts some mineral species to other forms while it inhibits organic growth through chemical interference.

     The behavior of Eaglyte under the redox potential of dissimilar metals can best be described this way. Water containing dissolved oxygen, minerals and organic materials enter a bed of Eaglyte, the major ingredient of which consists of two minerals fused into an alloy. One mineral becomes the cathode and the other becomes the anode within each granule of Eaglyte. The space between each granule within the bed of Eaglyte becomes an electrolytic. The electrochemical potential of the one fused mineral over the other is over 900 millivolts and as dissolved minerals and oxygen pass through this electrochemical potential, a spontaneous oxidation-reduction reaction takes place with the undesirable elements or compounds. There is a transfer of electrons. Lead and other heavy metals plate to the Eaglyte and are thus removed. Oxides which are hostile to algae, fungi and bacteria are released. In some cases a behavior modification of certain hardness ions such as calcium are affected to the extent that crystalline scale formation that forms hard scale deposits is interfered with and instead, a "soft-scale" that is readily water soluble is formed.

WHAT IS TTHM?
     TTHM is defined as the Total Trihalomethane in water. In municipal systems, THM's are usually only a chlorine byproduct such as chloroform. TTHM's actually include brominated byproducts as well as chlorinated byproducts, namely: Chloroform, Bromoform, Bromodichloromethane and Dibromochloromethane. Total THM's or TTHM's are the sum total of all of the THM's present in any particular water supply.

     Under NSF International Standard 53, the removal of TTHM is considered a surrogate as proof of removal of the following volatile organic chemicals:

     The following is a sample test result obtained for a Series 2300 model 300K whole house filter (same media as the point-of-use filters):

     Test performed in March 1990 by an independent laboratory. Flow rate 6.2 GPM @ 30 PSIG and the unit complied with NSF International Standard 53 for 393,500 gallons. The readings were taken at 300,000 gallons. Compliance capacity was 393,500 gallons when chromium, as chromate (Cr+6) exceeded 0.05 PPM.

WHAT ARE ORGANICS?
     Trihalomethane (THM) is a byproduct of Chlorine. Chloroform is its most prevalent form. It is being researched as a possible carcinogen. GAC has been proven effective in removing or reducing THM's.

NSF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
     The filter media contains KDF55 (one of the active ingredients in "Eaglyte") which is a certified component under NSF International STD 42. While these systems may be capable of removing/reducing far more contaminants, the National Sanitation Foundation Standard 53 test, which acts as a world standard, encompasses only a sampling, some of which follow:

     Tested by an independent laboratory to NSF International Standard 53 health effects. These systems are also certified to the requirements of some states.

ACTIVATED CARBON and HOW IT WORKS
     Activated carbon is the workhorse of the water filtration industry. Activated carbon has the broadest application of any material currently available. Activated carbon is produced in many sizes, from a powdered form, to large particles and compressed blocks. The type of carbon that is of most concern to the point-of-use water filtration industry is a granular activated carbon better known as GAC. A properly designed GAC filter will remove chlorine, bad tastes and odor, color, chemicals and other organics found in both treated and raw water supplies. The mechanism by which GAC removes the aforementioned contaminants is both adsorption, as well as catalytic reduction (Chlorine).

     Since the adsorptive force of carbon is greater than that of the water, and since most organic contaminants are hydrophobic (water hating), they have a tendency to adhere to the surfaces of the GAC. This adsorption removes these contaminants from the water as it passes the carbon column. Contaminants such as salt and hardness are hydrophilic (water loving) and will not adsorb onto the carbon. They will remain in solution and pass the carbon column unaffected.

    The largest application of activated carbon for point-of-use is for chlorine reduction. This process is achieved by the granules of carbon acting as a catalyst to convert molecular chlorine Cl₂ to the chloride ion Cl-. Activated carbon can also oxidize hydrogen sulfide to sulphate, which do not have the characteristic "rotten-egg" smell, but the capacity of the filter may be greatly reduced, and much longer contact times are required. The longer any contaminant has in contact with the carbon, the better the removal rate.