10/23/2002 Entry: "Liquid Panic."

He wants you to take a box Kleenex and cut it with a knife.
Use a stack of tissues for each hand;
Killing germs could save his life.
—"Howard Hughes", Rasputina

One of the birthday presents I asked for was a Brita Water Filter. Well, I got one, but didn't realize that it's just a charcoal filter. It's primarily supposed to make the water taste better and remove some metals; it does little to remove biological contaminants. In fact, if they're not changed, regular charcoal filters may encourage more bacteria growth. And here I was just concerned with those unsanitary water bottles and the spout on the water cooler when I had all this other stuff to worry about! (Links via Shel and my mother.) On the other hand, what's wrong with bacteria? Why not develop a little 'natural' immunity rather than breeding super-resistant germs? I mean, I ride MUNI...what could be less sanitary than that?

I don't know. I think I can reconcile the two views without wearing Kleenex on my crotch and autoclaving my utensils. But I might have been going that direction anyway.

Screw it. I'll just drink wine instead.

Replies: 2 comments

I personally use the Pur (there is an umlat over the u, but I can't get it to show up) waterfilter. Once you have a bout of cryptosporidiosis, you will only drink filtered water ever. I also never drink water from a restaurant. Just my own personal dose of paranoia

HUGS

Posted by Vince @ 10/24/2002 08:59 AM PST

Hmm, germs and wine.

Posted by George @ 11/04/2002 11:51 AM PST