Heavy metals can naturally exist within water and other liquids, but some can be dangerous if ingested or exposed to at high levels. Are these heavy metals present in your water? Use a test kit to determine the level of contaminants that may be lingering. If you have heavy metals in your drinking water, how do you remove them? Magnetic filtration is the leading way to remove heavy metals from liquids such as drinking water.
Common Metal and Magnetic Contaminants
Metals that have a high density and a high atomic weight or atomic number are classified as heavy metals. Water is full of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and more. But other natural minerals can also be found in water such as lead, mercury, and arsenic which aren’t healthy to consume. Such contaminants should be filtered out before drinking as they can be toxic even in small quantities.
Importance of Removing Metal Contaminants from Liquid
There is a long list of health problems that can stem from heavy metals in drinking water. While these health concerns may not always be present right away, the effects can build over time through long-term exposure. Extracting the heavy metals before ingesting them is the best approach in helping to avoid certain medical concerns, especially if there are young children in your household.
Developing children are at higher risk of suffering from health issues caused by heavy metals because as their bodies develop and process minerals, harmful metals can affect their cognitive development. In adults and children alike, heavy metals can be attributed to neurological and behavioral changes. These changes could be a sign that you need to test your water. Other health concerns that are caused by ingesting lead, mercury, or arsenic include issues with kidneys, the digestive system, the immune system, and the cardiovascular system.
How to Filter Contaminants and Metals Out of Liquid
The process for filtering out metals and other harmful contaminants is similar to other filtration processes. Some options include reverse osmosis, activated carbon filters, and magnetic filters.
Reverse Osmosis - The benefit of this type of water filtration system is that it's highly effective. But, a large downside is that this process also tends to waste water and requires significantly higher pressure.
Activated Carbon Filters – This method traps pollutants with charcoal filters. This is a popular option for most home filtration systems. It’s effective in removing sediment, VOCs, chlorine, and improves taste. It doesn’t remove salts or compounds that have already dissolved.
Magnetic Filters – These are often used in larger commercial, industrial, and municipal processes. Magnetic filters work by producing a magnetic field that collects iron particles. The filter magnets are geometrically arranged to form a magnetic field to capture the particles.
In some cases, all three processes are used to filter metals out of liquid. Testing your water before system installation is important for determining your needs. Testing regularly should be a standard to ensure the filtration process is functioning correctly.