Contaminants
Questions about contaminants and LifeStraw
Benzene and VOC's
Does LifeStraw filter benzene from water?. Yes, LifeStraw filters, particularly those in the Home Series and Max products, are highly effective at reducing benzene and some other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as Atrazine and Lindane in water
Can I use LifeStraw products to drink pool water?
Because pool water may have an abundance of salt and chemicals beyond chlorine, we do not recommend filtering pool water with your LifeStraw. LifeStraw products also do not work in saltwater or brackish water.
Can LifeStraw products protect against cyanotoxins (cyanobacteria)?
Cyanobacteria are blue-green algae commonly found in freshwater systems. Cyanotoxins occur when an algal spore ruptures. LifeStraw hollow fiber membrane filters (included in all LifeStraw products) remove algae from the water, which will remove inter
Chloronitramide
Chloronitramide is a newly identified compound, and further research is required to better understand its removal methods and potential health effects. Currently, it is not listed in WHO Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality, US EPA regulations, or N
Do LifeStraw products desalinate water?
LifeStraw products do not remove salt from water and should not be used on water sources such as ocean or seawater, other saltwater sources or brackish water (where freshwater and saltwater are mixed).
Do LifeStraw products eliminate nitrates from water?
No, LifeStraw products do not remove nitrates or nitrites from drinking water. Nitrates are highly water-soluble and require specialized filtration technologies, such as reverse osmosis or ion exchange systems, to be effectively removed. While LifeSt
Do LifeStraw products filter arsenic from water?
LifeStraw products do not remove arsenic from water.
Do LifeStraw products filter out amoeba that cause amoeba dysentery?
Amoeba Dysentery is a rare infection in the intestines caused by protozoan parasites. All LifeStraw products are 99.999% effective at removing protozoan parasites and amoebas from water.
Do LifeStraw products remove chloramine from water?
LifeStraw products do not remove chloramine from water.
Do LifeStraw products remove Chromium-6?
LifeStraw Home products contain an activated carbon and ion exchange filter that is designed to reduce a broad range of chemical contaminants. Chromium-6 (hexavalent chromium) is not one of the contaminants for which LifeStraw currently makes an offi
Do LifeStraw products remove fluoride?
The LifeStraw products are designed to remove contaminants such as bacteria, parasites, microplastics, heavy metals (including lead), PFAS, and more depending upon the specific filter. However, it does not remove fluoride, as our focus is on reducing
Do LifeStraw products remove THHMS or Haloacetic acids?
LifeStraw products are not currently certified to remove haloacetic acids (HAAs) or trihalomethanes (THMs) from drinking water. These are common disinfection byproducts (DBPs) formed when chlorine or other disinfectants react with natural organic mat
Do LifeStraw products remove Nitrates?
LifeStraw products are not designed or certified to remove nitrates from drinking water. Our current filtration technologies use activated carbon and/or cation exchange resin, which are not effective for nitrate removal based on current scientific un
Do LifeStraw products remove petroleum from water?
Our LifeStraw products do not remove petroleum from water.
Do LifeStraw products remove TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)?
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is a term used to describe the inorganic salts and small amounts of organic matter present in water. TDS refers to contaminants and essential minerals, including calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. Therefore, TDS i
Do LifeStraw products remove TTHMS or Trihalomethane?
Our products do not remove TTHMs from water.
Do you have products that remove PFAS (PFAO/PFOS)?
Yes! Our LifeStraw Home pitchers and dispensers are among the most effective household products available for reducing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from drinking water. Our dual filtration technology combines:. Together, these elements
Do your products filter rainwater?
LifeStraw filters are highly effective at removing bacteria, parasites, and microplastics from water. They are designed and tested to meet NSF 231 and NSF 53 standards, ensuring the removal of microbiological contaminants from freshwater sources, inc
Does LifeStraw Filter Volcanic Ash?
Yes, LifeStraw water filters can remove a significant amount of volcanic ash from drinking water, depending on the model:. LifeStraw Filters (e.g., Home, Peak, Personal, Go, Flex). LifeStraw Purifiers (Mission, Family, Community). Pro Tip:. To extend
What are microplastics? Are microplastics bad for me?
This is a common and important question—especially with increasing concerns about plastics and water safety. Microplastics can be either intentionally manufactured for certain purposes (like microbeads in cosmetics) or result from the breakdown of la
Can I use LifeStraw products to drink urine?
LifeStraw products do not remove dissolved salts and are not designed to be used to drink non-diluted urine. Because of this, we do not recommend drinking urine with any LifeStraw product in even low amounts.
Do LifeStraw products create alkaline water?
LifeStraw products are not designed to alkalize drinking water.
What does LifeStraw filter out?
LifeStraw takes contaminant claims seriously. For each product, we only communicate reduction performance for contaminants that have been specifically tested and are listed on that product’s Performance Data Sheet. If a contaminant is not listed on t
Can I use LifeStraw product to drink well water?
LifeStraw products are designed and tested following NSF 231 and NSF 53 standards of working microbiologically with freshwater sources, including well water on the claimed parameters.According to NSF 231 and NSF 53 standards, the testing protocol app
Do LifeStraw products contain coal tar?
The coal tar used during the manufacturing process of our activated carbon fiber is purified, refined tar coal that does not contain the carcinogenic substances that regular coal tar found on the internet is known for.The activated carbon fiber used