Recently the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued warning related to water filter that “Reverse osmosis (RO) water filters are not beneficial for health”.
The reason behind is that RO water filters are very effective in cleaning water by killing the bacteria but removing all salts and essential nutrients such as calcium and magnesium removes all salts and essential nutrients such as calcium and magnesium from water. These nutrients are responsible for producing energy. So consumption of acidic water for long term lacking of essential elements produced by RO filters which seems to be very unhealthy.
Authorities have been threatening about the speedy rise in the use of RO filters. However, the government goes on fitting RO plants in every nook and corner in the name of pure drinking water.
Former chemist at the Department of Mines and Geology M V Shashirekha, said “RO plants are good for extremely contaminated groundwater with nitrate, flouride, etc but for using other purposes may be harmful as it removes all essential nutrients”.
Reverse osmosis partially remove ions, unwanted molecules and larger particles from drinking water. This may decrease the concentration of particulate matter including suspended particles, bacteria and algae, reducing the concentration of a range of dissolved and particulate substances.
Cauvery water does not need RO filter. However, borewell water having high nitrates needs RO casing filtering, because nitrates cannot be removed by boiling or other filters. The RO filter, temporarily removes all the essential minerals. To treat 10 litres of water, nine litres of water is drained, contaminating the groundwater. Those dependent on borewells must examination the water quality and then zero in on the right filters.
Senior scientist, Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Science A R Shivakumar said “the water filter lobby is so strong that they will never permit any study that would harm the business. RO plants are not standardized keeping in mind the water source.