How to Choose a Shower Filter
Updated 6/2023
First thing is first: Should you get a shower filter?
There arent that many studies however those that have been conducted have led me to purchase my own shower filter - even if I didnt use them for years. However, I recently found out that not all shower filters are created equal and not all shower filters work for everyone. It’s important to understand what disinfectant your water utility uses otherwise you could end up buying a shower filter that does not filter out what you want it to filter out (this happened to me!
WHY GET A SHOWER FILTER
2 ( popular) main reasons: chlorine and chloramine
Water utilities use chlorine or chloramine for disinfecting purposes
-chlorine
- chlorine reacts with naturally-occurring organic material found in surface water, forming disinfection by-products. and can created trihalomethanes (THMs)
- THMS can produce 4 chemicals: chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform.
THMs are directly linked to increase risk of bladder cancer - and studies have shown a significant uptake of THMs through showering & bathing (some point to a higher intake vie dermal exposure than drinking water)
A study from Canada found “Those exposed to chlorinated surface water for 35 or more years had an increased risk of bladder cancer compared with those exposed for less than 10 years “
CHLORAMINE
Other water utilities are using chloramine (chlorine + ammonia) . In California, for example, two-thirds of the water companies use chloramines to disinfect their drinking water, LA has reportedly completely switched to chloramine.
Chloraminated vapor from showers, baths, hot tubs, dishwashers, and other household appliances contains volatilized chemicals that can be inhaled and cause irritation to the respiratory tract.
The toxic exposure to chemicals (like chloramine) in water is greater from taking a shower than from drinking the same water mostly because Inhaled chloraminated vapor can enter the bloodstream directly through the lungs, bypasses the digestive tract where it would be broken down and excreted
In a study by Zierler, et al (PDF, 821 KB), it was found that there was an increase in deaths from influenza and pneumonia in the communities that used chloramine. (Communities in Massachusetts that used chlorine for disinfection were compared to those that used chloramine). The Reason is that Chloramine exposure damages lung mucosa, making the lungs more susceptible to allergens and infections.
Chloramine tap water can cause severe skin reactions: Chloramine can aggravate other skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Rashing, itching , dry skin, flaking
* if your main concern are other chemicals in water like PFAS for example then the ideal would be to install a whole house filter. I dont know of any shower filter that has been tested to remove PFAS
WHO SHOULD INSTALL A SHOWER FILTER
If you have to prioritize I would say
if you are pregnant, immunocompromised, and/or have respiratory issues
young children: not only are they smaller and more vulnerable but they are also more likely to be drinking the water in the bath/shower
everyone else
WHICH WATER FILTER SHOULD I GET?
First you should find out what your local water system uses to disinfect their water; is it chlorine or chloramine? Contact your water utility and ask
3 types of filters to look for:
1. Granular activated carbon (GAC) water filters will effectively remove both chlorine and chloramine. Additionally they remove bacteria, heavy metals, rust, some additional byproducts
2. Kinetic Degradation Fluxion (also called the snappy KDF-55) is also used in many showerhead filters. This type of filter medium is a highly pure combination of copper-zinc alloy that is used to remove contaminants that may include chlorine, bacteria, and heavy metals using a chemical process called redox, or oxidation-reduction.
3. Calcium Sulfite filters are the only way to remove 99% of the chlorine. Although less efficient for for chlorine, because GAC remove other undesirable contaminants, most calcium sulfite filter will also have a GAC filter as well.
SOME OPTIONS
Honestly, if you are looking for chloramine removal it is slim pickings and a leap of faith. Most companies do not publish third party testing for their shower filters which is very frustrating. I was told and read in sources I trust that the most effective way to filter out chloramine is using a whole house filter- the reason is that for the most effective filtration of chloramine you need a higher water flow and heavier filter than a shower head can hold… because of this I was extra cautious on companies that claim high chloramine filtration. I ultimately based my purchase on company reputation and hope to be able to eventually test at home for verification.
If it is chlorine you want to filter out- you are in luck and have some good companies to choose from
This is a list of different filters, their claims and my particular take on them. I encourage you to do your own research and find one that works for you… there really is no ‘perfect’ shower filter out there (especially, it seems, for chloramine) so just do the best you can do (in no particular order) :
ProOne ProMax shower water filters
This is NSF certified and they publish their testing, and while not all contaminants are eliminated many are. Labs show 71% reduction in chloramine and 51% chlorine.
SANTE ‘ Ultimate’ Dual Shower Filter
Sounds amazing as it claims to remove chlorine, iron and heavy metals, odors, organic waste, trihalomethanes, bacteria, and common carcinogens such as carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, benzene and vinylidene chloride. I called and they say they remove 99% of chloramine- however they do not publish independent third party testing
contains KDF 55 granules.
effective in reducing chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, microorganisms, scale and water-soluble heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and iron.
Does not remove chloramine
Has a granulated carbon filter and a calcium sulfite filter.
While very effective at reducing chlorine and other harmful substances, cannot remove chloramine.
Aquasana AQ-4100 Deluxe Shower Water Filter System with Adjustable Showerhead
made with a Granular Activated Carbon filter and a copper/zinc media. Has tests showing 90% reduction in chlorine, enhances water pH balance and removes other contaminants
This one filters out chlorine, however they have a chloramine shower filter that can be sent out by special request (has a higher grade of carbon- call the company to inquire) - they do not provide testing for how much chloramine it removes
Pelican Water Premium: LWS-PSF-1WC, LWS-PSF-1NHC, LWS-PSF-1C, LWS-PSF-1NH, (filter: LWS-PSF-1)
Removes both chlorine (96%) and chloramine (50%) - but I did not see their testing published online
Pure Effects PureShowerTM Filter. ( link is to their homepage , just search for “ shower filter” in search tool!)
Contains both the Advanced Catalytic Activated Carbon and a Patented KDF55 MediaI filter.
I have their under sink filters for drinking water and am very happy.
Removes: Chlorine, Radon, Radium, Iodine-131, Hydrogen Sulfide (Rotten Egg Smell), VOCs (Benzene, Toluene, Methane, etc.), Drug Residues, Disinfection Byproducts (Chloroform, THMs)
does not remove chloramine
Made all in US
Propur
The multi-stage water purification system claims to help reduce over 200 kinds of toxins including heavy metals, fluoride, chlorine, volatile organic chemicals (VOC), and more. They post independent testing online however has mixed reviews on Amazon question validity of their posted testing- as various ‘customers’ claim they tested the water after installing filter and did not register decreases in chlorine and chloramine.
Super popular on social media but, Sadly another one without third party testing. It is NsF certified for chlorine removal.
Uses a KDF-55 which they describe as the “Ferrari of water filtration media”. A combo of copper and zinc shavings to remove chlorine and other heavy metals through a redox process
ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO?
take shorter or less frequent showers,
avoiding excessively hot showers (since high heat increases the amount of steam- increases absorption),
shut the water off while soaping up
get a whole house filtration system instead
a note on bathtubs:
because the flow of water and space/weight constraints there are no bath water filters that are worth mentioning. However Sodium acorbate powder (a form of vitamin C) is a good solution since it’s easy to obtain and easy to use. You will need to add 1/4 tsp (or 1000 mg) of Sodium Ascorbate into your bath water about 5 minutes prior to bathing, giving it enough time to neutralize chlorine. Sodium Ascorbate will neutralize chloramine, which is also used to treat water and is even more dangerous than chlorine
sources:
https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/165/2/148/98015
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00051702
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16556748/