Like its name, coconut shell activated carbon comes from the coconut shell. To create its activated carbon form, the coconut undergoes a steam activation process. During activation, it creates millions of pores at the surface of the carbon thus increasing the total surface area. Coconut shell carbon has mainly micro-pores to meso-pores and due to its unique distribution of pore diameter, coconut shell activated carbons are very popular in the gas phase purification and potable water purification industries.

Why use coconut shells?

Coconut shels are a purer form of carbon compared to coal and wood filters. Other forms of activated carbon can add to an off-putting taste from inorganic ash, whereas coconut carbon is more tightly structured and won’t leach.

Activated carbon is the filtering agent that eliminates contaminants from water. Carbon pulls unwanted particles, first, to its surface and then deep within its pores, leaving only the purest water possible.

Coconut shells are a renewable resource made of high-grade carbon and are ideal for filtration due to their high percentage of micro-pores on their surface, nearly 50 percent more than coal, making it the most promising option for removing a wide variety of particles and pollutants.

What Contaminants Do Coconut Shell Activated Carbon

Water Filters Remove?

Activated carbon filters are excellent at removing many contaminants from water. This includes chemicals, gas, and physical impurities. NSF International and the Environmental Protection Agency (USA) claim that activated charcoal filters can remove 60 to 80 chemicals from water and reduce 30 more. They also moderately reduce 22 other contaminants.

These are just a few of the water contaminants that activated charcoal filters can remove or reduce.

PFOS

Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, or PFOS for short, is a water and stain-resistant synthetic compound that is widely used to make carpets, fire-fighting foams, furniture, paper packaging for food, clothing fabric, and other materials that are resistant to water, grease, or stains. PFOS chemicals can be difficult to break down, which means they can remain in the environment and water sources for many decades. Exposure to PFOS chemicals at higher levels can cause adverse effects. This includes congenital disabilities, cancers, and liver effects. Activated carbon filters can effectively remove PFAS including PFAS and PFOS as well as PFNA.

Pharmaceuticals

High-quality activated charcoal filters can remove pharmaceutical residue from drinking water. The World Health Organization describes pharmaceuticals as “synthetic and natural chemicals that can potentially be found in prescription medications, over-the-counter therapeutic drugs, and veterinary drugs.” They can also get into water sources via human waste, improper disposal of drugs (e.g. flushing drugs down sinks or toilets), or agricultural runoff containing livestock manure. Pharmaceutical residues can have a significant impact on aquatic life if they are allowed to accumulate in the environment.

Phosphate

There are many sources of phosphate in water, including runoff, pet, and human sewage, chemical manufacturing, and other sources. Although phosphate is essential for plant growth, excess phosphate can cause water to cloudy from algal bloom. Premium charcoal filters can remove as much as 90% of the phosphates from the water.

Chlorine

To kill bacteria and other pathogens that can make water taste and smell bad, chlorine is used by water treatment plants. However, despite its amazing disinfecting power, studies show that people who consume chlorinated water are at least 93% more likely to get sick than those who drink water without it. Activated carbon filters remove chlorine and the unpleasant smell and taste that it causes. Premium activated carbon filters can remove 95% of free chlorine from some water sources.

Chorine Byproducts

When chlorine used to treat water reacts naturally with compounds in the water, harmful chlorine byproducts can form, such as VOCs and THMs. The long-term exposure of some of these toxic byproducts can lead to cancer, birth defects, and other unwelcome diseases. The activated carbon filter is the best way to remove chlorine byproducts. According to the EPA, the technology eliminates 32 of the most well-known chlorine byproducts. This includes the most common tap water report byproduct: total THMs (TTHMs).

Chloride

Chloride is a key ingredient in the chlorination of drinking water.

Pesticides

Activated carbon filters have been tested and designed to remove 14 of the most common pesticides that could be found in water. These pesticides include Chlordecone/CLD/Kepone, Chlordane, and Heptachlor. Lindane is also included in the Round-up. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences defines Pesticides as any substance that is used to kill, repel or control certain types of plant or animal life considered pests. These substances include herbicides and fungicides. These agricultural chemicals can easily reach water-bearing groundwater aquifers because of their widespread use. Short-term adverse effects on health can be caused by pesticides, but long-term effects can persist for months or even years.

Herbicides

Global agriculture has used herbicides for many centuries. This is primarily to control undesirable weeds and increase production. These chemicals can sometimes be uncontrolled and end up in water supplies, affecting non-target aquatic organisms as well as humans. Some herbicides may cause cancer in humans. Activated carbon has been tested and shown to be able to remove 12 common herbicides including 2,4-D weedkiller and atrazine.

Lithium

Lithium, a trace metal naturally occurring in the earth’s soil and mineral formations, can also be found in water. The presence of lithium in tap water can be used as a stress-relieving and antidepressant. We must be aware of the potential health risks that metal can have on our bodies, even if more research is done. The lithium content in drinking water can be reduced by charcoal filters up to 90%