Topic

Steripen dilemna

  • This topic is empty.
Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
PostedJul 8, 2012 at 8:36 pm

Think this ( http://aquamira.com/consumer/aquamira-water-filter-bottle ) will work to filter out tapeworm eggs? Filters out 99.9% of crypto and giardia, smaller than tapeworm eggs, but the company doesn't provide a micron rating because "Aquamira Filters are rated by what they remove, not a pore size." Sounds a little sketchy.

I'm going on a 7-10 day backpacking trip on Isle Royale, where hydatid tapeworms a problem because of the wolves. I normally just use a steripen to zap the bacteria in my water, which I enjoy, but UV is ineffective on eggs.

My original plan was to use a metal mesh coffee filter as a prefilter for my water gathering, but my dad, who is a veterinarian/parasitologist thinks I'd have less of a risk of contamination using the aquamira bottle.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

PostedJul 8, 2012 at 11:15 pm

Any filter that stops bacteria will stop the worm eggs. In this case I wouldn't trust any filter that doesn't list micro rating. Raccoon's also carry a lethal tapeworm and they are literally everywhere. Since tapeworm infections can be lethal, I wouldn't trust any filter that doesn't have a micron ratting, especially a coffee filter / wire mesh combo.

Once I learned about tapworms I decided to change my water treatment. I just pruchased a Sawyer 3-Way Inline filter (0.1 micron) and have attached it to my bladder. To address viruses I will put chlorine dioxide tables in the bladder after I fill it. The filter is listed at 2oz which is about 1oz lighter than the steripen.

Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
Loading...