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LifeStraw

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New page: __NOTOC__ Cross-section through a concrete biosand filter LifeStraw® is a portable simple filtration device, which measures around 25 cm ...
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[[Image:CAWST_Biosand.png|thumb|right|150px| Cross-section through a concrete biosand filter]]

LifeStraw® is a portable simple filtration device, which measures around 25 cm long and 29 mm in diameter, and filters up to 700 litres of water.

LifeStraw® contains a specially developed halogenated resin that kills bacteria and viruses on contact; a special chamber further increases the exposure of micro-organisms to the halogenated resin, thereby enhancing the killing effect. Micro-filters are used to remove all particles down to 15 microns. Granular activated carbon (silver-impregnated) adsorbs residual iodine thereby improving the taste of water.

It filters up to 700 litres of water and effectively removes most of the micro organisms responsible for causing waterborne diseases.

{{procontable | pro=
- Does not require electricity <br>
- Does not require repair or spare parts <br>
- Can be carried around for easy access to safe and clean water <br>
- Easy to mass-distribute in areas where drinking water is contaminated <br>
- Easy to clean pre-filter as well as purifier cartridge <br>
| con=
- Not a good development tool as it lacks sustainability <br>
- Should not be shared <br>
- Cannot be used by children <br>
}}

==History and social context==

==Suitable conditions ==
The lifestraw can only be used for low turbid water. The released amount of iodine in water treated from LifeStraw® is not normally damaging to human health. However, people with thyroid problems or allergic reaction to iodine must seek medical advice before using this tool

A model applicable at a family level does exist.


{{Potential_Treatment_Capacity_table
| highly=
- Bacteria<br>
- Viruses <br>
| somewhat=
| not=
- High turbidity <br>
- Dissolved Chemicals <br>
- parasites Giardia
| process= particle removal and disinfection
| watcrit= Contaminated fresh water
}}


==Technical specification==

====Operation====
Place LifeStraw® in water and sip through the mouthpiece. Regularly blow through the LifeStraw® after drinking to keep the filters clean and to prevent them from clogging. To clean, wipe your LifeStraw® with a soft cloth

====Treatment Efficiency====
The University of North Carolina evaluated the performance of LifeStraw® personal water filter with regard to reduction of bacteria and viruses, level of iodine release and silver concentration in the filtered water. LifeStraw®:

* removes 99,9999% of waterborne bacteria <br>
* removes more than 98% of waterborne viruses <br>
* removes particles down to 15 microns <br>

====Maintenance====
The filterpen is quite sensitive to shocks, so avoid dropping or collisions. However, as far as proper maintenance is conducted, no real damage should occur.

====Manufacturing====
Vestergaard SA Tested by the University of North Carolina. LifeStraw® can be donated through various non profit organisations.


====Estimated Lifespan====
LifeStraw® filters up to 700 litres of water. If we assume that the daily water consumption of a person is 2 litres, then the life span is nearly 1 year.

Shelf-life is 2 years at 25°C or 1 year at 30°C.

==Cost==
{{Treatment_Cost2
|CapCost= US$4 = €2,85
|OpCost=US$ 0
|ReplCost=US$ 0
|5yCost=US$ 12-30
|m3Cost=US$5,71 = €4,08

}}

==Country experiences==

==Manuals==

==Movies==

==Footnotes==

==Acknowledgements==

==References==

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