Do water purifiers work?——Comprehensive analysis of the necessity and selection guide of water purifiers

The first paragraph: summary of content
As the guardian of drinking water health in modern families, the core function of water purifiers is to remove impurities, heavy metals, bacteria and other harmful substances in water through filtration technology to improve water quality and safety.This article will analyze the working principle, actual efficacy, applicable scenarios and purchase points of water purifiers to help users determine whether they need to install a water purifier.Key contents include: comparison of filtration technologies of water purifiers (such as RO reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration), usage effects under different water qualities, brand product recommendations and cost evaluation, and finally a summary of the actual value of water purifiers.

Paragraph 2: Core functions of water purifier
The effectiveness of a water purifier depends on its filtration technology.toRO reverse osmosis technologyFor example, it can remove 99% of dissolved solids (such as lead, arsenic) and microorganisms in water, and is suitable for areas with poor water quality;Ultrafiltration technologyIt retains minerals and is suitable for daily drinking.According to data from the World Health Organization, about 2 billion people around the world drink contaminated water. Water purifiers can significantly reduce the risk of water-borne diseases such as diarrhea (Source: WHO "Drinking Water Quality Guidelines").Common domestic brands such asMidea, Qinyuan, XiaomiAll provide multi-technical solutions, and users need to choose according to local water quality reports.

Paragraph 3: Applicable scenarios and misunderstandings
Not all households need to install a water purifier.If the tap water test meets the standard (such as TDS value <50ppm), it only needs to be matched withActivated carbon filter elementJust improve the taste.However, water purifiers are more necessary in scenarios such as communities with old pipelines and self-drilled wells in rural areas.It should be noted that the water purifier cannot soften scale (a separate water softener needs to be installed), and the filter element needs to be replaced regularly (the cost is about 200-500 yuan/year).Some merchants exaggerate the "anti-cancer" and "life extension" effects, which violates the Advertising Law and consumers should treat them rationally.

Paragraph 4: Suggestions for purchase and use
Please refer to the following parameters when purchasing:

technology type	Filtering accuracy	Applicable water quality	Representative products
RO reverse osmosis	0.0001 micron	highly polluted water	Midea MRC1882A
Ultrafiltration	0.01 micron	Municipal tap water	Xiaomi water purifier 600G

After installation, the quality of the effluent must be checked regularly to avoid secondary pollution.The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that the total number of bacterial colonies in the water from the water purifier should be <100CFU/mL (source cited: "Hygienic Standards for Drinking Water" GB5749-2022).

Paragraph 5: Summary and rational suggestions
Water purifiers are indeed effective in improving drinking water safety, but they need to be considered comprehensively based on water quality, budget and maintenance costs.Tap water users in first-tier cities can choose the basic model, while areas with high risk of heavy metal pollution are recommended to equip RO models.Consumers should give priority to products certified by NSF (such as 3M, AO Smith) and keep the water quality test report as a basis for purchase.Ultimately, a water purifier is a tool rather than a “panacea,” and only when used scientifically can it maximize its value.

Quote sources:
1. World Health Organization "Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality" (2021 Edition)
2. Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention "Hygienic Standards for Drinking Water" GB5749-2022
3. Brand product data: Midea official website, Xiaomi Mall (as of August 2023)