Re: [Texascavers] Water Filter for Toxic Metals

[Diana Tomchick via Texascavers]

Yes, I agree here—if it’s a short expedition (10 days or less), just go buy 
some large water carboys at the local hardware store or Walmart and fill ‘em up 
with water before you get to Minas Viejas. If you don’t want to haul all that 
water from north of the border, there’s easy water purification to be purchased 
at most tends in Mexico and just fill your jugs up at a hotel tap before you 
head for the hills.

Exposure to heavy metals is not something to be cavalier about. I would 
emphasize that anyone going into the mines at Minas Viejas should change out of 
the clothes they wore into the mines prior to cooking, eating or just generally 
hanging around camp. And for gawd’s sake, don’t eat while you’re in the mines, 
and thoroughly wash your hands and face before you eat outside the mines.

Diana

**
Diana R. Tomchick
Professor
Departments of Biophysics and Biochemistry
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Rm. ND10.214A
Dallas, TX 75390-8816
diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu
(214) 645-6383 (phone)
(214) 645-6353 (fax)

> On Nov 6, 2015, at 1:42 PM, Gregg Williams via Texascavers 
>  wrote:
>
> I like the Saywer Mini filter (filter link, click here). This thing is tiny 
> and the whole sha-bang fits in a Nalgene bottle. It's filter is rated to 0.1 
> micron absolute which is enough to filter all your protozoan (giardia and 
> cryptosporidium) and bacterial bugs(salmonella, cholera and E.coli). For the 
> heavy metal contamination you would need activated carbon. The amount that is 
> removed by the carbon is directly proportional to the amount of time the 
> water is in contact with the carbon. If the water is heavily contaminated by 
> metals you might want to just find another source if possible.
>
> Gregg
>
>
> On Fri, Nov 6, 2015 at 12:55 PM, Robert B via Texascavers 
>  wrote:
> I just want to do my part to ensure my caver fiends good health.
>
> Question...
> Can anybody recommend a portable - medium capacity (20 gal/day) water filter 
> that can remove toxic metals such as lead, arsenic mercury. Those metals 
> typically found in mines.
>
> The specifications listed for typical water filters leaves a bit to be 
> desired when it comes to metals.
>
> Would using two types of filtration systems work better. A typical 
> backpacking filter followed by a run through activated charcoal. ???
>
> Can the water found in the mines at Minas Viejas be filtered adequately for 
> drinking by large group of cavers.
>
> Other considerations? Advice?
>
> Thanks
> Rob
>
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Medical Center



The future of medicine, today.

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Re: [Texascavers] Water Filter for Toxic Metals

[Allan B. Cobb via Texascavers]

Rob, the easy way to remove most heavy metals is with a reverse osmosis filter. 
Activated charcoal will work to some extent on lead but not most other heavy 
metals. RO filters are not cheap and they can be finicky in the field. 

Here is some information on filters. 
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/green-guide/buying-guides/water-filter/shopping-tips/
http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/travel/household_water_treatment.html

You are probably better off taking your own water. You could send someone 
during the week to Bustamante, Villaldama, or Sabinas Hidalgo to replenish 
supplies. Many ice factories (not sure where one is around there) will sell 
water in bulk for your containers.

Allan

From: Robert B via Texascavers 
Sent: Friday, November 06, 2015 12:55 PM
To: Texascavers@texascavers.com 
Subject: [Texascavers] Water Filter for Toxic Metals

I just want to do my part to ensure my caver fiends good health. 

Question...
Can anybody recommend a portable - medium capacity (20 gal/day) water filter 
that can remove toxic metals such as lead, arsenic mercury. Those metals 
typically found in mines. 

The specifications listed for typical water filters leaves a bit to be desired 
when it comes to metals.

Would using two types of filtration systems work better. A typical backpacking 
filter followed by a run through activated charcoal. ??? 

Can the water found in the mines at Minas Viejas be filtered adequately for 
drinking by large group of cavers.

Other considerations? Advice?

Thanks 
Rob



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Re: [Texascavers] Water Filter for Toxic Metals

[Gregg Williams via Texascavers]

I like the Saywer Mini filter (filter link, click here
). This thing is tiny and
the whole sha-bang fits in a Nalgene bottle. It's filter is rated to 0.1
micron absolute which is enough to filter all your protozoan (giardia and
cryptosporidium) and bacterial bugs(salmonella, cholera and E.coli). For
the heavy metal contamination you would need activated carbon. The amount
that is removed by the carbon is directly proportional to the amount of
time the water is in contact with the carbon. If the water is heavily
contaminated by metals you might want to just find another source if
possible.

Gregg


On Fri, Nov 6, 2015 at 12:55 PM, Robert B via Texascavers <
texascavers@texascavers.com> wrote:

> I just want to do my part to ensure my caver fiends good health.
>
> Question...
> Can anybody recommend a portable - medium capacity (20 gal/day) water
> filter that can remove toxic metals such as lead, arsenic mercury. Those
> metals typically found in mines.
>
> The specifications listed for typical water filters leaves a bit to be
> desired when it comes to metals.
>
> Would using two types of filtration systems work better. A typical
> backpacking filter followed by a run through activated charcoal. ???
>
> Can the water found in the mines at Minas Viejas be filtered adequately
> for drinking by large group of cavers.
>
> Other considerations? Advice?
>
> Thanks
> Rob
>
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> http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/
> http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
>
>
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[Texascavers] Water Filter for Toxic Metals

[Robert B via Texascavers]

I just want to do my part to ensure my caver fiends good health.

Question...
Can anybody recommend a portable - medium capacity (20 gal/day) water
filter that can remove toxic metals such as lead, arsenic mercury. Those
metals typically found in mines.

The specifications listed for typical water filters leaves a bit to be
desired when it comes to metals.

Would using two types of filtration systems work better. A typical
backpacking filter followed by a run through activated charcoal. ???

Can the water found in the mines at Minas Viejas be filtered adequately for
drinking by large group of cavers.

Other considerations? Advice?

Thanks
Rob
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