[EMUT]

Which is better for water purification? What about boiling? My prep's are lacking in water storage. I know that bleach is cheaper than iodine pills, but which method will kill the most stuff that will make one sick?

 

[jane333]

If using an outdoor water source, I'd be inclined to 1) filter well, 2) boil, and then 3) treat with bleach. Filtering through the layers of cloth/earth/gravel of an expedient filter will remove solid contaminants (including radioactive dust particles) and some dissolved toxins, if I'm not mistaken. Boiling kills microbes, parasites and such. After that, the bleach just makes me feel better.

Fwiw, I'm pretty sure that it's NOT recommended to use a water source that is obviously contaminated with petroleum products or pesticides, which would include most surface water after a flood or other serious disaster. That leaves natural springs and wells, neither of which would be available in many urban settings.

 

[talshiar]

Both have advantages.

 

[antivirus4u]

if you are going to stay in place use bleach... if you are going to travel use the tablets for less space...

 

[stephpd]

For the home I recommend Calcium Hypochlorite over bleach since it has a much longer shelf life. For my go bag I carry a small jar of iodine tablets.

They are all equally effective for killing bacteria. Looking at the periodic table you could use Fluorine, Bromine or Astatine too. I know bromine works, it's used in the Navy as well as spas. Never seen Fluorine or Astatine used though, the latter being radioactive and a short half life.

 

[graf56]

Bleach loses potency after 6 months thats why I rotate my stock. Iodine works well because it can serve 2 purposes water purification and first aid. Iodine is also small and easy to store. I have small bottles with eye droppers for transposting bleach if I want to go that way. Just throw a bottle of iodine in your first aid kit and you will always have a back up. I also store Calcium Hypochlorite 78% in 1lb. bags which will treat 10,000 gallons and until mixed will not lose potency.

 

[ForestBeekeeper]

Both work good.

 

[KFF]

Yeah but how much of this stuff (Calcium Hypochlorite) do ya use in a gal. of water?

 

[MIL-DOT]

I don't remember where I read this, but as I understand, you shouldn't drink water purified with iodine for more than two weeks or so. So, it's great for a BOB, but not for longer term.
I also recently got several bags of calcium hypochlorite, having the ability to make your own fresh bleach seems to be the best long term solution.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Yeah but how much of this stuff (Calcium Hypochlorite) do ya use in a gal. of water?

http://readynutrition.com/resources...ium-hypochlorite-to-disinfect-water_19062010/

Using granular calcium hypochlorite to disinfect water is a two step process.

To make a stock of chlorine solution (do not drink this!) dissolve 1 heaping teaspoon (about one-quarter of an ounce) of high-test (78%) granular calcium hypochlorite for each two gallons (eight liters) of water.
To disinfect water add one part of the chlorine solution to 100 parts water to be treated.
Let the mixture sit for at least one-half hour before drinking.

 

[ForestBeekeeper]

The USA established our iodine RDA at a level to just barely keep most people from having thyroid goiters.

Japan has an iodine RDA that is four times higher than our RDA.

Japan has nearly no thyroid cancers, no hypothyroidism, and no hyperthyroidism [when I say 'no' I mean such a low amount as it shows as a statistical zero].

Whereas the US has thyroid cancers; and we have lots of hypothyroidism, and lots of hyperthyroidism [which are both treated with iodine supplements].

Many US Veterans suffer from 'crotch-rot'. A systemic fungal infection where the mold 'blooms' on any warm moist skin. Topical ointments may help the surface 'bloom' but the fungus lives on, as it is systemic [it lives inside you]. The number one treatment for systemic fungal infections? Iodine supplements, raising the RDA up from the USA levels to the Japan levels.

I take Iodine supplements, it helps with my fungal infections.

I live in an area where peat bogs are common. I have sphagnum moss growing on my land, and I harvest peat. Sphagnum moss has a selection of other molds which are symbiotic living on and in it. Some of those other molds can infect anyone who handles sphagnum moss or peat. So as a maintenance does to keep me from becoming re-infected with system fungal infections, I continue to take iodine supplement.

I have attended two workshops on thyroid health and one on veteran health issues. What I present here is from my own learning and study on this topic.

If you google for yourself, you should find all of the supporting studies and articles.

 

[MikeK]

I see you've already gotten the good advice on calcium hypochlorite. There are other benefits to using it also. It allows you to make your own bleach, which is great for keeping a house sanitized during a crisis. When there is no doctor is the last time one needs to get sick with something that could have been prevented by sanitizing surfaces, door handles and such.

 

[ForestBeekeeper]

I did not mean to imply anything negative about bleach.

We stock chlorine tablets and make our own bleach as well here.

 

[EMUT]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[skitzospacemonkey]

i prefer not too use bleach because if you put too little it wont kill the germs but if you put in too much it can be really bad for you soo i say stick too the iodine or chlorine tabs

 

[skitzospacemonkey]

or you can even buy a filter pump or straw if you prefer