Brita’s Filter Controversy

Brita’s Filter Controversy

Brita's "Transform Your Water" slogan seems to have transformed into a potential lawsuit instead. Nicholas Brown isn't sipping the Brita Kool-Aid, launching a class action in California against Clorox's Brita Products Co. The bone of contention? The supposed inability of Brita's filters to effectively reduce some of the more unsavory contaminants like arsenic and those pesky "forever chemicals", PFAS. If these allegations hold water, many might wonder if they've been getting the full story (or the full filter). Meanwhile, Clorox, not looking to be submerged in controversy, counters that Brita's filters have a different chemical hit list, emphasizing their dedication to crystal clear transparency.

EPA's PFAS Redefinition

In this week's edition of "EPA Shenanigans," our friends at the Agency decided to take a mulligan on defining PFAS. If you're keeping count, this is take two since 2021. The new direction? A delightful "case-by-case" approach to decide which of these 'forever chemicals' gets the regulatory spotlight.

"Clarity? Who needs it?" seems to be the EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics' motto these days. This bold move might give a free pass to some PFAS buddies hiding out in pharmaceuticals and pesticides. It's a bit awkward, given that other EPA departments, international governments, and science aficionados disagree. In the words of Linda Birnbaum, ex-EPA scientist, "This isn't a new definition – it's an absence of one." Given the health risks linked to PFAS and their tendency to linger around, critics aren't just raising an eyebrow—they're calling for the entire PFAS family reunion to be regulated.

Wildfires Compromise Tap Water in Maui

They say every cloud has a silver lining, but it seems Maui's inferno-smoked clouds have left more of a toxic lining for Lahaina and Upper Kula's taps. The wildfire—deemed the most deadly U.S. fire in a century—didn't just char lands and homes, it also played quite the mischief with the water pipes. Now, the good people of Maui are dealing with some unsavory elements in their H2O—think toxic chemicals, some cheeky bacteria, and a sprinkle of metals.

If you're in the area and thinking your Brita might save the day, think again. Even top-tier home filtering systems are waving the white flag against this level of contamination. And before you raise an eyebrow thinking "Wasn't fire just a problem for water at its source?", new research would like a word. Residents, meanwhile, are being wooed by the irresistible charm of bottled water for everything from sipping to scrubbing. Pour one out today for our friends in the islands.

DROP’s New Reverse Osmosis System

In what can only be described as a yawn revolutionary announcement, DROP claims they've reinvented the water wheel with their latest Reverse Osmosis System. They insist that it'll turn your tap water from "just acceptable" to "crystal clear superstar," filtering out the likes of chlorine, lead, and the dreaded PFAS. It's got all the bells and whistles for those who can't resist a good app notification, plus a UV Disinfection feature for an extra flair of clean.

But here's the kicker: they boast a 1:1 efficiency rating, which, if true, would indeed leave the typical 4:1 systems in the dust. But do remember, as with everything that sparkles, it's always good to read between the water lines– this is just a product announcement with no external research backing up their sparkling claims.

The ANNIHILATOR

While we usually steer clear of the commercial/industrial news, our last story was just too juicy to pass up. Tucked away in the refreshing corners of Wyoming, Michigan, the Heritage-Crystal Clean's PFAS Annihilator system has emerged. Instead of the usual "hide and seek" with those pesky PFAS compounds, this system applies a little warmth and pressure—turning them into the friendly neighborhood trio of water, carbon dioxide, and salt. The masterminds behind this? None other than Revive Environmental, Battelle, and Crystal Clean. They’ve not just crafted a concept but rolled out the red carpet for a commercial-grade solution. As the heralded “first closed-loop PFAS remediation solution”, they’re releasing six units this fall with a potential encore of 25 more if the industry clamors for it.