01.
What is HaloPure?
HaloPure® technology, which can be installed in cartridges,
uses halogens (excluding iodine), whose potential to simply,
safely enhance drinking water treatment systems is well known.
HaloSource has demonstrated that these halogens bound to HaloPure
can treat bacteria and viruses commonly found in drinking
water, promising to improve water treatment systems by providing
an effective solution to contamination problems afflicting
industrialized and developing countries.
02.
Why is drinking water contamination a problem?
Each year, 2.2 million people die from hygiene-related diseases,
according to the World Health Organization. As many as half
of these deaths may be attributed to drinking water contaminated
with waterborne bacteria. In many areas, people are forced
to use rivers that contain sewage or other pollutants as their
main water source. The majority of point-of-use water treatment
systems available to this population do not completely adequately
rid the water of hazardous bacteria and viruses.
03.
What makes HaloPure different from other water treatment technologies?
While many gravity-drip water treatment products filter water,
most systems leave behind bacteria and viruses that can cause
health problems.
04.
How does HaloPure technology work?
HaloPure beads are composed of patented N-halamine technology.
HaloPure beads have solid-state halogens (excluding iodine)
placed on highly porous polystyrene beads that have been treated
with the N-halamine chemistry. The result is a low-leaching
product that is long lasting and safe.
05.
How can HaloPure be incorporated into point-of-use water treatment
devices?
HaloPure beads can be loaded into cartridges that can be incorporated
into a range of gravity-drip appliances. For example, the
cartridges can be easily attached beneath the ceramic prefilters
in gravity-fed, point-of-use water treatment devices.
06.
Are halogens (excluding iodine) effective ways to kill bacteria
and viruses?
Yes. These halogens’ powerful disinfectant qualities
come from their ability to bond with and destroy the outer
surfaces of bacteria and viruses. Such halogen usage as a
germicide dates back to 1846 and usage in the treatment of
drinking water began in 1850. Halogen usage has been one of
society's most potent weapons against a wide array of life-threatening
infections, viruses and bacteria for more than 150 years.
These halogens deliver broad-spectrum germicidal potency and
also control taste and odor problems by oxidizing many naturally
occurring substances.
07.
Does water treated with HaloPure smell, taste or look different
from other filtered water?
No. Water treated by HaloPure is clear and refreshing.
08.
What organisms have been tested with cartridges containing
HaloPure beads?
The HaloPure medium has been tested in labs at Auburn University,
where the N-halamine technology was invented, and within labs
at commercial partners and HaloSource with a variety of microorganisms.
The results of those laboratory tests show that HaloPure beads
can effectively treat bacteria and viruses, including the
deadly Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
and E. coli.
09.
Why not just dose the water with chlorine or other halogens
alone?
Halogens alone do nothing to improve clarity, taste or even
some odors. In fact, in common dosage levels, they can add
an unpleasant taste and odor to water. More importantly, using
chlorine or other halogens alone raises concerns about health
issues and reliability. Simply put, with systems using HaloPure
technology, raw water comes in, and safe water comes out.
10. Can the HaloPure cartridge
claim U.S. EPA purifier performance requirements?
We anticipate the achievement of U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) registration requirements in the near term.
11. Will HaloPure present health
risks owing to consumers ingesting added chemicals?
No. HaloPure bead’s antimicrobial power eliminates the
need to introduce high concentrations of free chemicals into
the water treatment process, while maintaining quality and
taste.
12. Is there a chance of causing
resistant strains of bacteria?
No. HaloPure is very safe, and halogen dosage requirements
for effectiveness in drinking water treatment have not increased
during the last 100 years because bacteria are unable to mutate
and become resistant to halogens used on HaloPure beads. This
strength and speed prevent the emergence of resistant or antibiotic-resistant
"superbugs."
13. What about environmental
friendliness?
The halogens once consumed off of the HaloPure beads break
down into safe, harmless low levels of common salts.
