Includes: LifeStraw Peak Series 3L gravity bag with hose and standard quick connector, carabiner, leak-proof cap for water storage, easy carry strap, backwash accessory, user manual
Materials: BPA Free, FDA approved, premium materials
Dimensions: 22 x 52.9cm, 8.6 x 20.8in
Weight: 228g, 8.1oz
Hose Length: 1.2m, 47in
Pore Size: 0.2 micron
Membrane Microfilter (Replaceable): lasts up to 2,000 litres, 439.94 imperial gallons
The water will stop flowing through once the filter has reached the end of its lifetime
LifeStraw Peak Series Membrane Microfilter: Meets US EPA & NSF P231 drinking water standards for the removal of bacteria and parasites
The water will stop flowing through once the filter has reached the end of its lifetime
LifeStraw Peak Series Membrane Microfilter: Meets US EPA & NSF P231 drinking water standards for the removal of bacteria and parasites
Protects Against:
99.999999% of bacteria
99.999% of parasites
99.999% of microplastics, silt, sand, and cloudiness
THE 9s MATTER: In microbiological water treatment, it’s all about the number of nines after the decimal - which are generally referred to as log standards.
Testing performance for log thresholds is the ultimate measure microbiological filtration performance.
This is more important than comparing pore size.
There tends to be lower percentage standards for heavy metals and chemicals because it takes higher concentrations of these contaminants to cause illness. However, low dose concentrations of microbes can still make you sick, so you need the extra 9s.
The NSF recommends log 6 bacteria removal (99.9999%) and greater than log 3 Protozoa removal (99.9%).
If you are considering Virus removal, they recommend at least log 4 (99.99%). - see 3 below
When in the great outdoors: YOUR MOST IMMEDIATE CONCERNS ARE MICROBIOLOGICAL.
These can be broken down into three categories.
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PROTOZOA/PARASITES –
The CDC (Center For Disease Control USA) lists Cryptosporidium and Giardia intestinalis as the top two most concerning protozoa or parasites to be aware of in backcountry water.
They result from runoff of animal and human fecal waste.
Cryptosporidium infection, or “Crypto,” in particular is very common – there are almost 750,000 cases a year in the USA.
What is most critical about Cryptosporidium is that iodine treatment and in many cases, chlorine treatment are not effective at killing Cryptosporidium (Chlorine-dioxide takes up to 4 hours).
Want to learn more? See what the CDC has to say about protozoa.
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BACTERIA – Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, and E. Coli can all be found in backcountry waters.
These also result from animal or human fecal waste and can cause serious illness.
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VIRUS - Rotavirus and noroviruses, Hepatitis A&E can be spread through water.
Human viruses come exclusively from infected human feces, so they tend to be less of a concern in the backcountry.
However, if you are in a location with a large amount of human activity, you may want to consider a different technology that protects against viruses – such as ultrafiltration technology or microfiltration with chemical treatment.
This product does not protect against HEAVY METALS, CHEMICALS, PESTICIDES, AND "OTHER STUFF"
This is what LifeStraw say:
"Beyond the microbiological umbrella, there may be heavy metals, chemicals, pesticides, and other unwanted substances in backcountry water.
These mainly become concerns if you are close to human activity or downstream agricultural or industrial activities.
These contaminants often need higher concentrations and longer exposure to cause illness.
In general, that makes this category of contaminant less of a concern for the backcountry and for short term exposures.
So, if you’re hiking for a few days, not a big deal.
BUT, if you drink from the same pond or use the same tap every day, that’s a separate issue that merits unique treatment technologies, in which chemicals and heavy metals should be prioritized to avoid prolonged exposures"
NSF: have been dedicated to protecting and improving global human health since 1944.
As a global, independent organisation, their standards team facilitates development of public health standards, and their service teams test, audit and certify products and services.
The NSF mark assures consumers, retailers and regulators that certified products have been rigorously tested to comply with all standard requirements.
All Lifestraw Lifestyle images © Adam Barker