Water is essential for survival, but not all water sources are created equal. Contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and chemicals can make their way into our water supply, posing a serious threat to our health. To combat this issue, many people turn to water filters to ensure their drinking water is safe and pure. One popular brand of water filters is Berkey, known for its high-quality filtration systems that can remove a wide range of contaminants.

However, many people are surprised to learn that Berkey water filters are banned in California. In this blog, we'll explore Why are Berkey water filters banned in California? the reasons behind the ban, and what this means for those who live in the Golden State. You should read this if you live in The Golden State and want a Berkey water filter.

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Why is Berkey not allowed in California?

Why are Berkey water filters banned in California

The nation's strictest health restrictions are found in California. Their anti-lead regulation effectively outlawed Berkey water filters in 2009. A lead-free NSF certification is required for any "end-use device intended to convey or dispense water for human consumption through drinking or cooking" to be marketed in California. When Berkey refused to cooperate, the noose tightened. The rule makes sense in terms of public health.

Lead-containing water filters are not something we desire, and neither should you. However, the regulation is onerous and punishes businesses for wanting to safeguard their technologies. Some might believe California is "overacting" in response to lead concerns. However, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, lead exposure in children might have the following negative impacts.

harm to the nervous system
sensory issues, particularly with speech and hearing
behavioral and academic challenges
sluggish development and growth

According to the World Health Organisation, lead exposure is also responsible for "21.7 million disability-adjusted life years," or the years lost to illness and infirmity. The organization also emphasized the chemical's effects on cardiovascular illness, chronic kidney ailments, and intellectual disability. Lead is widely used.

According to a Consumer Reports article, lead and cadmium may even be present in dark chocolate, highlighting that these chemicals may be present in any product. Consequently, ensuring water filters don't include lead should help minimize exposure to harmful chemicals. I hope you have all answered "Why are Berkey water filters banned in California? despite their popularity among consumers as a reliable solution for removing contaminants from drinking water.

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Why won't Berkey get NSF Certified?

One such explanation is that Berkey believes the NSF criteria are "limited." To be clear, the firm claims that despite the Black Berkey Element's water purification capabilities being "twice" as high as the NSF norm, it must be given a half-life to receive NSF certification. The firm also thinks testing for and keeping the ANSI accreditation is too expensive. Berkey determined that it wasn't worth the effort, given the amount of tax and paperwork required to abide by the requirements of only one state.

One such explanation could be that the company views its water filtering technology as "intellectual property." In other words, Berkey wants to keep the ingredients in its products that have, up until now, enabled it to outperform other brands. Berkey even went so far as to decline to show off how well its products remove contaminants in public.

This is against Iowan law, which demands that all companies present a live demonstration of their products to demonstrate their efficacy. By refusing, Berkey was expelled from Iowa. We can all anticipate Berkey filters being prohibited in California until the company decides to be honest about its statements regarding removing water contaminants.

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How much does an NSF certificate matter?

The foremost certification body for water treatment goods is the National Sanitation Foundation. Established in 1944, they work with experts from academia, science, and business to develop standards. Buying a water filter with NSF certification means:

The producer solely used FDA-approved raw ingredients.
There are no hazardous substances in the product.
It satisfies the required performance standards.
Advertisement claims are true.

To ensure that items continue to fulfill NSF criteria, the certification process is drawn out and includes product reviews, lab testing, and continuing manufacturing facility audits. A corporation may spend up to $100,000 on this optional program to test one new product and its related components. And some do so because accreditation gives their goods credibility, fosters customer trust, and expands their market in California.

It's a benefit that large, international organizations can afford, but what about little, family-run businesses? Kainnen sie es afford? Is the procedure intrusive? Some businesses choose to employ NSF-certified components to cut costs instead of submitting the full system for certification. Others state that their goods are "certified to NSF standards," which is false unless, for example, Berkey pursues testing independently and publishes the results.

How does Berkey test its Filters?

Several EPA-accredited laboratories, such as Spectrum Labs, the Department of Toxicology and Environmental Science at Louisiana University, and the University of Phoenix, have examined Berkey water filters. For its studies demonstrating the effectiveness of salt-free water softeners that employ Template Assisted Crystallisation technology (TAC), the University of Phoenix is well-known in the scientific community.

Conclusion

Why are Berkey water filters banned in California? To refresh your mind, the reason is that Berkey is breaking the law by refusing to obtain an NSF or ANSI certification. Berkey has nothing to lose by holding an NSF certification if the brand's claims of superior water pollutant removal test processes than NSF/ANSI methodologies are true. Some skeptics are skeptical of the brand's claims regarding water quality performance because of its continuing disregard for state legislation.