There are varying answers out there if you’re looking to find the answer to “Does Zero Water filter fluoride?” I got information directly from a company rep and I will post that for you below.
The Zero Water (or actually ZeroWater) filter pitcher is one of the most popular brands on the market. Offering 5-stage water filtration, the products have good ratings and are some of the bestselling units in the category. The product information is somewhat vague, however, in terms of what will actually be removed. They say that “virtually all total dissolved solids” will be removed. But what’s that mean?
I asked a company rep.
Table of Contents
Does Zero Water Filter Fluoride?
Please note that the filtration data and information below was provided by the manufacturer, ZeroWater, and has not been independently verified by WaterAdvisor.org.
I was told that it does filter 99% of fluoride. In fact, I received this document:
*Testing performed by an independent, EPA Certified Laboratory and does not have any affiliation with Zero Technologies, LLC or Brita.
In addition to fluoride, the Zero Water filter also removes the following:
Metals
99%
Arsenic (+3)
Arsenic (+5)
Chromium
Copper
Lead
Manganese
Mercury
Selenium
Thalium
Zinc
Aluminum
Silver
Cadmium
98%
Iron
95%
Barium
Antimony
Pesticides
99%
Alachlor
Aldrin
Atrazine
Dieldrin
Endrin
Gamma-Chlordane
Heptachlor
Heptachlor Epoxide
Picloram
98%
Alpha-Chlordane
Methoxychlor
97%
Lindane
Dalapon
Simazine
96%
Carbofuran
VOC
99%
Dimethyl Ether
1, 2-Dibromo-3-Chloropropane
Hexachlorobutadiene
98%
n-Butylbenzene
1, 1, 2, 2-Tetrachloroethane
97%
1, 2, 3-Trichlorobenzene
M and p-Xylene
1, 1, 1, 2-Tetrachlorethane
96%
4-Chlorotoluene
1, 1-Dichloropropane
95%
1, 2, 4-Trimethylbenzene
1, 3-Dichlorobenzene
Dichlorodifluoromethane
Naphthalene
o-Xylene
1, 3, 5-Trimethylbenzene
94%
n-propylbenzene
4-Isopropyltoluene
2-Chlorotoluene
1, 1, 2-Trichloroethane
93%
1, 2, 4-Trichlorobenzene
Trans-1, 2-Dichloroethene
92%
Vinychloride
1,2-Dibromethane (EDB)
Tert-Butylbenzene
1, 2-Dicholopropane
91%
Isopropylbenzene
MTBE
90%
Chloromethane
1, 4-Dichlorobenzene
Cis-1, 3-Dichloropropene
Styrene
2,2-Dichloropropane
89%
Trans-1, 3-Dichloropropene
Bromobenzene
Benzene
88%
1, 2-Dichlorobenzene
79%
Chloroform
For example let’s look at the ZeroWater ZD-018 ZD018, 23 Cup Water Filter Pitcher with Water Quality Meter.
This 23-cup pitcher is designed for easy use from the spigot so you don’t have to lift it. I would call it more of a dispenser than a pitcher. It’s certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53.
- Check Your TDS: The 23 Cup 5-Stage Ready-Read Water Filter Dispenser has a TDS Meter to check the levels of dissolved solids before dispensing or pouring water – always know when it is time to change your filter!
- Advanced Filtration: Our 5-Stage Ion Exchange Filter removes virtually all dissolved solids (TDS) for the purest tasting water; Total Dissolved Solids are organic and inorganic materials, such as metals, minerals, salts, and ions dissolved in water.
- IAPMO Certified & BPA-Free: Our 5-Stage filter is IAPMO Certified to reduce PFOA/PFOS, lead, chromium, and mercury. All Culligan ZeroWater products are made from BPA-Free plastic.
- Your New Water Filter System: Your purchase includes a 23 Cup water filter dispenser, 5-Stage Ion Exchange Water Filter, and a TDS meter that read TDS level. Compatible with ZeroWater & Culligan ZeroWater systems and filters.
- Less Plastic, More Hydration: You can save up to 110 single-use plastic bottles per filter or up to 660 bottles a year while enjoying the purest tasting water with your Culligan Zero Water Filter System.
Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What the ZeroWater Can’t Do:
This is not a water ionizer or alkaline water machine and it does not change the ph of the water. Also, it isn’t designed to remove bacteria/microbiological contaminants from your water.
Filters and Filter Replacement:
You’ll need to replace these NSF-certified filter periodically. Filter cost for this pitcher are running at around $11-14 each, depending on how many you buy in a pack, as you can see here: ZeroWater Replacement Filters 2-Pack BPA-Free Replacement Water Filters for ZeroWater Pitchers and Dispensers NSF Certified to Reduce Lead & Other Heavy Metals.
Filters are rated to last for 22.5 gallons but depending on your local water you may see closer to 30 gallons per filter. Water tasting like lemon is usually the telltale sign that it’s time to change filters.
Why Does Anyone Want to Filter Fluoride?
Fluoride has always been somewhat controversial since it became an addition to municipal water supplies. The first city to begin fluoridating water supplies was Grand Rapids, Michigan, which was in 1945.
There are studies that say that it may be linked to cancer, there are reports that it is a neurotoxin, that it lowers IQ, and more. An important thing to think about with fluoride is that it’s definitely something that not everyone wants. Studies seem to show that it doesn’t even help with the desired result, which was about preventing tooth decay. Since it was meant to prevent tooth decay, it was added for health reasons. Thus, it can be viewed as a medical treatment, even if it is ineffective as such. So if this medical treatment is added to residents’ water supply without consent, why is that considered an ethical practice?
Here’s an article from Harvard regarding some of the issues surrounding fluoride in water supplies. The article discusses fluoridated water and the relationship to rates of tooth decay in countries with and without fluoridated water. Countries without fluoridated water include Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and more. Countries with fluoridated water include Australia, Chile, Ireland, Israel, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, UK, and US.
Does ZeroWater Filter Fluoride? Final Thoughts
So just to wrap-up, we’ve answered the question about the ZeroWater filter and fluoride. The answer, according to the company, it that it removes 99% of the fluoride in your water.
Photo by seven1917 