Interesting Miox reading...

[gravityman]

I've been researching the MIOX water treatment option. There is some seriously interesting reading out there.

I've heard over and over that MIOX basically makes the same thing as chlorine dioxide. It doesn't. In fact, MSR claims they don't even know what chemical compound is actually doing the purifying.

From their website : "Based on microbiological testing, it is likely that other chloroxygen compounds more potent than chlorine are also being created. With current technology, we have been unable to identify these other compounds; therefore, we can claim only that we make a strong chlorine/hypochlorous acid solution. We know, however, that the MIOX solution effectively inactivates cryptosporidia, while chlorine does not—even after days of exposure."


They also make vague references to it working better than aqaumira. All very interesting... The most important thing, is that it seems to work damn well. Seems like a very good option for a long distance hike as far as I can tell.


Here's the two most interesting links : review (http://stuff.silverorange.com/archives/2004/september/msrmioxpurifier)
and the MSR Q&A page (http://www.msrcorp.com/support/water_filters.asp)

Gravity Man

[rocket04]

Although it is slightly worrysome that they don't really seem to fully understand their own product.

[Alligator]

Disclaimer- "Our product makes a bunch of chemicals toxic to microorganisms. We are not sure what these are, but hey, it's only your drinking water.":sun

[saimyoji]

We all know that our GI tracts contain several types of beneficial bacteria, and depending on your life style (if you drink lots of water with microbes and such and have developed resistance to them), you'll have more....May hap this "anti-microbial cocktail" affect these helpful beasties as well?

[SGT Rock]

It says it makes coffee water taste funny. NOGO!

[walkin' wally]

I've been researching the MIOX water treatment option. There is some seriously interesting reading out there.


From their website : "Based on microbiological testing, it is likely that other chloroxygen compounds more potent than chlorine are also being created. With current technology, we have been unable to identify these other compounds; therefore, we can claim only that we make a strong chlorine/hypochlorous acid solution. We know, however, that the MIOX solution effectively inactivates cryptosporidia, while chlorine does not—even after days of exposure."
Gravity Man

I have a hard time believing any living organism can survive for any amount of time in a chlorine enviroment. Chlorine is an extremely effective biocide. :-?

[neo]

i am just gonna stick to my polar pure,have a bottle i still use almost 4 years latter:sun neo

[SGT Rock]

From what I understand, normal chlorine like bleach does not kill crypto and does a poor job on a lot of other stuff unless in heavy concentrations. Chlorine Dioxide does a much better job, but according to the MSR site it does not make chlorine dioxide in significant enough amounts to do the job. Anyway, what gets me is it says the thing doesn't change the taste of water, then later on it talks about how people comment about a tap water taste and how treated water tastes funny in coffee and tea.

[gravityman]

From what I understand, normal chlorine like bleach does not kill crypto and does a poor job on a lot of other stuff unless in heavy concentrations. Chlorine Dioxide does a much better job, but according to the MSR site it does not make chlorine dioxide in significant enough amounts to do the job. Anyway, what gets me is it says the thing doesn't change the taste of water, then later on it talks about how people comment about a tap water taste and how treated water tastes funny in coffee and tea.

Well, I got one for christmas. It does give the water a chlorine flavor, very similar to aquamira. I made a 4 liter batch for 3 liters of water (because you can only make .5, 1, 2, or 4 liter batches. My wife later pointed out I could have just made a 1 liter batch and a 2 liter batch. DOH! She's a smarty :) and it was similar in taste to tap water. There is a definite odor as well. I don't make coffee on trail, so I didn't bother testing that.

As for chlorine, I have read over and over that to kill giardia, the concentration has to be pool water strength or maybe even stronger (as there are some studies that show even pool water doesn't kill all the giardia.

Here's a link for those who don't believe me: Canadian Health Dept (http://www.bchealthguide.org/healthfiles/hfile49b.stm)

[Alligator]

I don't know about coffee or tea, but when I brew beer I need to use water with little chlorine. The chlorine strips additional substances off the kernels, making the beer more astringent. Since my town practically pumps pool water out the tap, I boil the water and let sit overnight. Could be a similar problem with the coffee and tea. You could boil your tea and coffee water and not use the Miox if the taste is a problem.

[weary]

....Here's the two most interesting links : review (http://stuff.silverorange.com/archives/2004/september/msrmioxpurifier)
and the MSR Q&A page (http://www.msrcorp.com/support/water_filters.asp) Gravity Man
I find it interesting that the Miox "marketing manager" answered all the queries posed to her, except the following:

"Just curious, but you site some mystery choroxygen compounds are created along with the chlorine. If these are not able to be positively identified, how are you certain they are acceptable for human consumption? It would seem that mystery compounds such as these, would need to be identified and rigorously tested before being released to the public. This is my main concern and is what is preventing me from buying the miox. I would appreciate you addressing this issue, Katie. Was testing health testing done, and if so, to what degree? Also have there been any side affects or health problems encountered from the mixed oxidants?"

Weary, who rarely treats his water, especially when on the high ridges of Maine, or when it's pumped from his 150-foot deep drilled well.