Frequently Asked Questions
- How do AQUATABS® water purification tablets work?
- Do AQUATABS® water purification tablets colour the water or leave a taste?
- Do AQUATABS® water purification tablets meet any sort of certification?
- Are AQUATABS® water purification tablets made to a certain level of quality?
- Are AQUATABS® water purification tablets safe to handle?
- Are AQUATABS® water purification tablets a new product?
- What precautions are recommended when using AQUATABS® water purification tablets?
- How long does it take for AQUATABS® water purification tablets to dissolve once placed into water?
- How soon can you drink water after treating with AQUATABS® water purification tablets?
- Can AQUATABS® water purification tablets be used in cloudy or extremely dirty water with high levels of sediment and/or organic matter?
- Do AQUATABS® water purification tablets contain Iodine?
- Can AQUATABS® water purification tablets be used on a long term basis?
- Do AQUATABS® water purification tablets have an expiration date or shelf life?
- Can AQUATABS® water purification tablets be used to wash and/or disinfect fruits and vegetables?
- Are AQUATABS® water purification tablets effective against the cysts Giardia and Cryptosporidium?
How do AQUATABS® water purification tablets work?
Each AQUATABS® tablet contains a measured dose of Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate, commonly referred to as NaDCC. When added to water AQUATABS® dissolve to release a measured dose of hypochlorous acid (free available chlorine) that is universally recognized as a safe and effective water disinfectant.
Do AQUATABS®water purification tablets colour the water or leave a taste?
No, unlike other water purification treatments such as Iodine or Chlorine Dioxide, AQUATABS® will not colour the water or leave an unpalatable taste. NaDCC works very differently from traditional chlorine, and as such, it is very difficult to taste any chlorine taste. In fact, there is usually less of a chlorine taste in water treated with AQUATABS® than there is in any municipal tap water.
Do AQUATABS®water purification tablets meet any sort of certification?
Yes, the NaDCC used in AQUATABS® is certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 60 and has been approved for drinking water treatment by the U.S EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the WHO (World Health Organization)/JECFA.
AQUATABS® also conform to WHO Specification (The New Emergency Health Kit 98), International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement specification (Code: Type 21.1), UNICEF specification (Codes: S 1588350 / S 158355 / S 0003245) and NATO Stock Number (NSN) 6850-99-225-1833).
Are AQUATABS®water purification tablets made to a certain level of quality?
Yes,AQUATABS® are produced in conformance with internationally recognized specifications, and are manufactured to pharmaceutical standards (certified in accordance with EU Guidelines for Good Manufacturing Practice for medicinal products), which is essential for this type of product.
AQUATABS®are manufactured by Medentech Ltd. who are accredited to the international quality standard ISO 9001:2000
Are AQUATABS®water purification tablets safe to handle?
Yes, AQUATABS® are safe to handle and unlike other water purification treatments such as Iodine or Chlorine Dioxide, do not require gloves, protective eyewear, or other protective gear to use. In fact, you can safely dissolve an Aquatabs tablet right in the palm of your hand.
Are AQUATABS®water purification tablets a new product?
Yes and No. AQUATABS® have been around for over 20 years in areas such as Europe and Asia but are new to North America markets.
What precautions are recommended when using AQUATABS®water purification tablets?
The following general precautions are recommended when using AQUATABS®: Keep out of reach of children. Do not swallow tablets. If tablets are swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show outside packaging. Wash after handling. Do not mix with other products. Store in a cool, dry place.
How long does it take for AQUATABS®water purification tablets to dissolve once placed into water?
AQUATABS® take less than one minute to completely dissolve once placed into water and leave no residue or sediment.
How soon can you drink water after treating with AQUATABS®water purification tablets?
In most situations, water treated with AQUATABS® is safe to drink after 30 minutes. In some temperatures and conditions, 60 minutes might be recommended. Please see the dosage chart included with each product for more information.
Can AQUATABS®water purification tablets be used in cloudy or extremely dirty water with high levels of organic matter and turbidity?
The more sediment and/or organic matter within the water to be treated, the more chances that bacteria, viruses and cysts will be able to “hide” from the chlorine disinfectant. As excessive amounts of disinfectant react with the sediment and/or organic matter, there may not be enough disinfectant to inactivate important contaminants such as bacteria and viruses. All water to be treated with AQUATABS® should be clear. Filtering suspect water through a t-shirt or coffee filter is more than sufficient.
Do AQUATABS® water purification tablets contain Iodine?
No, AQUATABS® do not contain Iodine. Iodine of course have been found to cause a number of side affects and health hazards when used as a water purification agent, notably when used by pregnant women and/or when used on a long term basis.
Can AQUATABS®water purification tablets be used on a long term basis?
Yes, AQUATABS® produce extremely safe levels of free available chlorine that are comparable to those found in municipal tap water.
Do AQUATABS®water purification tablets have an expiration date or shelf life?
Yes, AQUATABS® left in their original foil packaging and stored in a cool, dry place have a shelf life of 5 years. Please refer to the expiry date printed on each strip of 10 tablets (MM/DD/YY).
Can AQUATABS®water purification tablets be used to wash and/or disinfect fruits and vegetables?
Yes. When using AQUATABS® to make water safe before WASHING fruits, vegetables, spinach and other produce, use Aquatabs for 1 or 20 L. When the desire is to DISINFECT fruits, vegetables, spinach and other produce, use the AQUATABS® Food Safe Plus product and directions.
Are AQUATABS® water purification tablets effective against the cysts Giardia and Cryptosporidium?
AQUATABS® are effective against Giardia when used as directed. Usually a double dose is required in very cold water (5C).AQUATABS® are not however effective against Cryptosporidium when this cyst is in the oocyst stage of its life cycle. Cryptosporidium is however not considered to be a common cyst. For more information about Cryptosporidium please refer to “Water 101”. If Cryptosporidium is suspected, boil the water for 1 to 3 minutes depending on elevation or filter to a level of 1 micron absolute and then treat with AQUATABS® to inactivate remaining bacteria and viruses that filtration does not generally remove.
Should you have any other questions about AQUATABS® water purification tablets please contact us by email and we will respond within 24 hours. Email info@globalhydration.com .
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