[pct-l] Unhealthy side effects of long term AquaMira use?

[Jim Marco]

Yes, AquaMira, both liquid and tablets can have health effects. 
>From http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA453968

TIP #31-007-0306
11
(Note, it screwed up the formatting in the cut/paste operation, I added some colons and reformatted with no changes to the text. jdm)
Effect of pH : Effective over typical pH levels for raw, untreated natural
waters. Disinfection capability generally increases with increasing pH.
Effect of Turbidity: Higher turbidity generally reduces disinfection capability. Use longer contact time instead of higher dosages in more turbid waters to achieve CT values. Higher dosages may be necessary to ensure chlorine dioxide remains after oxidation of organic matter.
Health Effects: Chlorine dioxide and chlorite are potential health concerns. IWPD manufacturer-recommended dosages are not likely to cause adverse health effects for healthy adults. Exposure to much higher chlorite concentrations may occur when using stabilized chlorine dioxide products.

PREPARED BY: Steven H. Clarke, Environmental Engineer
DATED: March 2006


Generally, the most severe effect was neurological with other effects possible (cancer, physiological problems.) Suggest you look it up yourselves: Chlorine Dioxide, Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide for starters. I usually do not use AquaMira exclusively. Reserving it, primarily, for over night treatment. Mornings and evenings, I tend to boil coffee and/or cocoa water. This will remove a lot of it. During the day I use a UV treatment (I have used the Steripen, mUV, Adventurer and Adventurer/Opti.) I do not trust filters after a couple experiences with a broken filter element...HYOH. My overall dose is roughly equivalent to about 1/3 of my water supply. Soo, ff, f,ffarr no p,p,p,probproblems. (twitch, twitch...) Generally, it is Better to Wait Longer than to Add Extra. Cloudy water may require a little extra, IFF the turbidity is caused by organic matter. As always, some are more sensitive than others. Mostly, I consider it safe enough for camp use, with the caveate I don't use it for ALL my drinking water.  
	My thoughts only . . .
		jdm

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of ebjcoat
Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2013 5:53 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Unhealthy side effects of long term AquaMira use?

In 2009 a fellow thru-hiker had been using aquamira to treat his water for about a month and became ill. The doctor told him that long term use breaks down your immune system and you will eventually get sick. He spent a couple days at an inn with a toilet nearby before heading back out.

I personally use a steripen (2.6 oz) and only use aquamira as a backup or when the water looks cloudy or silty.


TWEEK - www.theepicwest.com


On Tue, Apr 9, 2013 at 4:41 PM, Gideon Scher <gideonscher at gmail.com> wrote:

> Thanks to all for the answers to my question re - the platypus water 
> filter. I see the issue generated a sub-thread which seems to indicate 
> that AquaMira is a popular and light-weight water treatment system. 
> However, I have heard that long-term use (thru-hike) of chemical 
> treatment of water can have unhealthy side effects. Anyone have any 
> knowledge on this regarding AquaMira specifically??
>
> Thanks,
> Gideon
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