Is Carbon Dust From Water Filters Harmful?
Published October 6, 2024.
A carbon filter is made with a solid block of compressed carbon, and it's effective for removing chlorine and certain chemicals, odors, and tastes from the water. However, a common concern with carbon filters is carbon dust, which are small carbon particles that appear in the water, especially when a new filter is installed. Can carbon dust affect your health?
Is Carbon Dust Safe to Drink?
Although the black dust floating in your water might look unappealing, it's not considered harmful. In fact, some believe consuming activated carbon (charcoal) is beneficial for the following:
- Cleansing blood
- Whitening teeth
- Decreasing flatulence
- Reducing bloating
While none of these health benefits have been proven, many activated carbon products are regularly consumed, and these have much higher concentrations of carbon than the dust you'd consume from your water filter.
The only concern with consuming activated carbon is that it could absorb some of the beneficial substances you ingest, like water-soluble vitamins and medications. However, there's no research to support this, and the water filter dust is so low in quantity that it's not of any real concern.
Nevertheless, carbon dust is still an unpleasant sight, and there are ways to reduce the carbon particles in your water.
» On the fence about filtered water? Learn about its health benefits.
The Solution to Carbon Dust
Carbon filters typically last between 6 and 12 months and should be replaced yearly. Since this could be a pain, a good option is to look for a filter that lasts a little longer and doesn't result in floating carbon dust. When shopping for a filter, it's important to make sure the one you choose is easy to maintain, has a high filtration rate, and is worth the investment.
In addition to a good water filter, glass products like the Mayu carafe can be used to make structured water. This is beneficial because the vortex created by the carafe aerates the water, thus infusing more oxygen, evaporating volatile compounds, and raising the pH level of the water.
» Carbon dust isn't the only danger in drinking water: Learn about microplastics in your tap water and how to detect them.
Low Risk to Health
While carbon dust isn't harmful, no one really wants black particles floating in their water. These particles can be removed with the Mayu Water products.
