Canisters designed by the company are not only used on Space Shuttle missions, but for ground-based testing of closed life support technology, and are being deployed aboard the International Space Station. Iodine was selected by NASA as the disinfectant of choice because of its lower vapor pressure and reduced propensity for formation of disinfection by-products in comparison to chlorine or bromine. Private sector commercialization of Umpqua's technology developed under NASA contract has been impressive. According to World Health Organization estimates, more than one billion people lack daily access to safe drinking water. Thirty-five percent of all deaths in developing countries are directly related to contaminated water.
Chlorination is a common method of disinfecting drinking water.
But that means a need for electricity, pumps, tanks, and technical expertise, which often are unavailable in rural or remote locations in emerging nations. Microbial contamination in dental water lines has been widely reported for many years. One potential solution is the simple flow-through canister approach. Umpqua technology is ideal for societies that lack the infrastructure necessary for chlorination. No energy is required.