Are those little charcoal bits in brita water filters bad for you?

Question

They're not getting into the drinking water, but they come out when I add tap water to the pitcher.

Answer 1

this usually happens when you first put a new filter in the top. just rinse out the picture and make a fresh batch. i find the specks seem to happen only in the top if i have the faucet on too hard. they won't hurt/harm you. happy new year!!

Answer 2

Brita Carbon Filter

Answer 3

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Brita water is ok for fish, no problem there. It is equal to water that has been run through a filter that contains carbon ( interesting that the Brita does the same as your tank filter yet people say it's bad) Brita filters do not remove the vast majority of minerals from the water. It will remove suspended materials but not dissolved materials and would not affect the hardness for example. So your Brita didn't do it. As for colorful freshwater fish I would suggest you check out African cichlids and killifish. They might surprise you. MM

Answer 4

I agree 100% with MM on this, I have a britta filter for my tap water and there are no problems with any of my tanks. The main thing to remember is you need to be using a GOOD water conditioner which replaces trace minerals your filter takes out. That is the key. NEVER BOIL your water for your tank. This concentrates the nitrates in the water making them higher than they already are. (Most public water has between 10-15ppm of nitrates already in the water. Some have more even though federal law states 10) I don't think the britta had any effect on your fish dieing. It was the fact the fish were in bowls not tanks. Did you use a conditioner with the water or did you just pour it in the bowls? You must use a Dechlor. Personally, I have ponds, salt and fresh water tanks. The salt is easier since after they have matured, require less maintenance and care than the fresh or the ponds. Salt water fish, (approximately all 25,000 different ones) are much more colorful and more unique and diversified than tropicals or natives. There are a number of fish for fresh water that are beautiful, but certain combinations of them don't work either. Perhaps more research on salt and fresh water is what you need to determine what is best for you and your lifestyle. There are pro's and con's on both sides. Salt water really isn't that expensive it is how you set up and care for the fish. The largest expense is the fish themselves, however prices are all that much different from the Exotic tropicals (wolf fish etc.) On line shops also are a good source for pricing and believe it or not you can haggle with most of them. (Bet you didn't know that one) Either way you choose, best of luck and really only you can decide what you are willing to care for.

Answer 5

Although it’s most likely charcoal it may contain other chemicals such as iodine (which is commonly used in water filters). traces of iodine is necessary to the human body however large amounts cause thyroid problems and depending on the molecular makeup can be poison (though I think it unlikely that I(2) or radioiodine would be used in a potable water filter) I'm not sure if iodine is used in britta filters but I do know that it is used in pur filters, pur however outperforms britta and has a history of making filters (for backpacking/survival) that will purify water from the worst sources such as sewer ponds. I would say its time to call britta's customer service and get a new filter.

Answer 6

Somewhere along the line they're leaking in through the filter and I don't think they're suppose to. Call the company or bring the filter back, keep bringing it back. This shouldn't happen. It's like getting a chicken in the store and bringing it home with the chicken blood all over your groceries, yuk!

Answer 7

That's activated charcoal, and no it's not harmful. In fact in cases of drug over dose they give a solution of this liquefied to draw the poison out of your system.

Answer 8

They shouldn't be coming out, I have one. But, they won't hurt you, they give charcoal to people in the hospital to absorb different stuff they have taken like too many asprin. But, I would take the filter back or at least replace it.

Answer 9

It's activated charcoal and it might not hurt you but if you ingest enough of it will make you sick to your stomach. That's why hospitals give it as a vomit agent.