None of the above. In fact, how water looks often has nothing to do with how safe it is. Even the clearest water can contain dangerous germs, metals or chemicals. So, it's no wonder that many people are turning to filters in their quest for cleaner water. But as HealthWeek's Eugenia Halsey found out, some may be getting a lot more than they bargained for.
Tap water is transformed.
American homes are awash in water filtration devices and pitchers. Those fears aren't unfounded. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that, every year in the U.S., unsafe drinking water is responsible for as many as 1.3 million illnesses and 1,200 deaths. But, if you're going to invest the time, and the money, in a water filter for your family, you need to know whether these things really work. Judy Caplan thought she'd done her homework before she bought a filter.