Are reverse osmosis and microfiltration systems effective in controlling Cryptosporidium?
On a study conducted by leading epidemiologists and researchers David G. Aldiss and Dennis Juranic, Centers for Disease Control; Robert S. Pond, Basics; Mark Remshak, Milwaukee Health Department; Susan Stokes, Scientific Resources Program1 and Jeffrey Davis, Wisconsin Division of Health, found that only 18% of the individuals who used a reverse osmosis or microfiltration system and avoided tap water at home and work became ill. Both of the individuals who became ill brushed their teeth with untreated water, and one drank tap water at a public building – indicating possible sources of infection unrelated to filtered water. Conversely, the rate of disease for those using submicron treatment systems, but who drank untreated water away from home, was 80%. For those using treatment systems greater then one micron, the illness rate was comparable to that of the general population. While the study notes that boiling water is technically the most effective means of treating water infected with
