Effective Ways of Removing Estrogen From Water
Contaminants in water can be a source of worry for everyone. This is why there are a few practical ways to remove estrogen from water;
- Sunlight
Removal of estrogen using sunlight is still a relatively new technique. However, this photochemical process is proving to be of extreme importance. Through sunlight, estrogen is photocatalyzed into its potentially safe oxidative products. This way, estrogen can be removed from the water on a large scale.
- Ozone
Scientific methods have also been developed to remove estrogen from water supplies. One of the more effective methods involves the decomposition of the hormone using ozone. With certain conditions like ideal pH, temperature, and ozone dosage, the efficiency of hormone removal is calculated to be over 95 per cent.
This is relatively greater than other methods, which only guarantee efficiency levels up to 50 per cent. This is why, when it comes to using an industrial solution to remove estrogen, methods using ozone are highly preferred.
- Adsorption
Conventional methods for removing estrogen from water are not proven to show efficient results. On the other hand, adsorption can remove too small particles, even for mechanical filtration.
The process includes adding a high-affinity adsorbent, usually activated carbon, to the batch of water that needs to be filtered. It attracts estrogen particles to itself, much like a magnet to a fridge, only on a more minute molecular scale.
- Chlorine
Chlorine, as a disinfectant, is quite popular. It is known for eliminating microorganisms and a wide variety of contaminants from water. Similarly, chlorine also possesses a strong potential to remove estrogen from water.
Chlorine combined with ultraviolet light can have almost miraculous estrogen removal so much so that this process can be used industrially for bulk filtration.
Estrogen as a Contaminant in Drinking Water
Efforts put in continuous water research are uncovering unbelievable facts. You might be surprised to know that there is a huge amount of chemicals and contaminants found in our drinking water. Some of the compounds are really shocking just like estrogen.
Estrogen is found in rivers, wastewater, and drinking water too. It falls into the category of primary female sex hormones that is responsible for regulating the female reproductive system. From the types of estrogen, Estradiol is largely found in tap water as contamination.
Sources of Estrogen Contamination in Drinking Water
You must be wondering how estrogen makes its way into our taps. Here it is.
Contraceptive pills are the main contributor to its contamination. Once women take the birth-control pill, the hormone molecules are not far from entering the local water systems.
The human body generally only absorbs the dose in small quantities, and the rest is excreted. It gets out either as wastewater or through sweat, washed away in washing machines. The estrogen from the wastewater plants is then discharged to nearby waterways and enters the drinking water.
The other sources include naturally occurring estrogen molecules excreted from livestock that travel through the soil to the local groundwater. Furthermore, flushing unused birth-control pills also add up.
Symptoms and Dangers of Estrogen Contamination in Water
Nobody would like their water to be filled with unnecessary, unwanted substances, now would they? Such is the case with estrogen. Its rising levels in the water supply have been a source of concern all around the globe.
Significant studies have linked polluting estrogen to breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. They are also harmful to marine creatures, which ultimately will affect humans in the bigger picture.
Estrogen in excess has been linked to quite a lot of carcinogenic effects. Because it is robust even in small doses, this certain hormone can have adverse effects on health that are yet to be studied in detail.
However, one thing is certain; excess hormonal presence can’t be harmless.
Do Water Filters Remove Estrogen From Drinking Water?
Yes. Fortunately, there are many efficient ways to remove excess estrogen, leaving purified water for drinking. There are whole-house water filters and faucet water filters that use their innovative filtration system for removing estrogen.
The best part is that, along with estrogen, these filters can also remove traces of other medications to ensure high water quality.
Various types of filters can help you in this regard, these include under sink water systems, countertop water systems, whole-house filtration systems, etc.
Which Water Filters Remove Estrogen?
Reverse Osmosis Water Filters
The reverse osmosis system is a fantastic water filtration technique. Scientific evidence shows it can undoubtedly remove estrogen and many other compounds quite efficiently from water.
The reverse osmosis filter uses pressure to push water through a semipermeable membrane that filters out the majority of harmful substances and contaminants. The system is also known for effectively filtering many volatile organic compounds present in water.
Reverse osmosis filters are commonly used for manufacturing in industrial processes. However, they can also be used at home for domestic purposes. There are various reverse osmosis filters in the market, Home Master has one of the best RO systems in the market.
The only disadvantage of the reverse osmosis system is its relatively high purchasing price.
Activated Carbon Filter
The activated carbon filter is another improved filtration system to remove estrogen. The system uses activated carbon filters and eliminates numerous other contaminants and estrogen. The activated carbon is known to bind estrogen molecules, due to which they are easily trapped and eliminated from the water.
Activated carbon is also used in refrigerator water filters and under-sink water filters. Moreover, it is mainly used in a countertop water filter to remove a wide range of contaminants from the drinking water.
Generally, activated carbon filters can be your best choice if you have a tight budget.
Polymer Membrane
Using advanced membrane technology to get rid of estrogen from water, here is another option. A semipermeable membrane along an activated carbon absorber reduces estrogen effectively.
The working of the system is as follows. Firstly, the water gets pushed through the semi-permeable polymer membrane. The membrane holds large particles and microorganisms and eliminates them from the water. Next, the partially filtered water passes through the activated carbon layer.
The efficiency of the filtration of hormones depends on the thickness of the absorption layer. It can remove up to 90% of the hormones in the water.
The system performs more energy-efficient elimination than reverse osmosis as its lets through a lot of water. Moreover, the process of filtering is really quick.
Bio Filters
Keeping up with the advanced technology, using biological filters is a brilliant idea if you feel anxious and concerned about having excess estrogen in the water.
These biological filters contain an enzyme called lactase, which can be found in types of fungus. The enzyme breaks down estrogen molecules and eventually eliminates them from drinking water.
While biological filters are still in development, they are expected to get available soon. Then you can surely remove estrogen from water at your home in the most convenient way.
FAQ on Estrogen Removal
Does boiling water remove estrogen from water?
Boiling tap water does not necessarily help to get rid of estrogen. Small organic molecules have a relatively lower boiling point than water, but estrogen is stable at higher temperatures. For that reason, boiling the water to remove estrogen may not be an option you would like to go for.
Does distillation remove estrogen from water?
Distillation is the best choice to filter tap water when it comes to removing dissolved solute particles from the water. During distillation, water evaporates, leaving a majority of the dissolved chemicals behind.
Steroid hormones such as estrogen being in large molecules can be easily removed from the water through distillation.
Does Zero Water remove estrogen from water?
Zero water filters have RO membrane systems in them. Reverse osmosis is a great water-filtering system for removing estrogen. Not only does it remove estrogen, but it is extremely effective in removing many volatile organic compounds and adding beneficial minerals. Without worrying, you can rely on this system to be assured of getting safe drinking water.
Conclusion
So are you worried about the possible side effects the estrogen might have on you? Or are you looking for a way to remove estrogen completely? The above article contains everything you’ll need. In fact, we are confident you’ll know enough about the issue to solve it yourself.