Culligan Aqua-Cleer Owner's Manual page 6

About Your
System (con't)
6
Total Defense:
The Total Defense cartridge should be added to your system to deal with lead, mercury,
aesthetic chloramines, aesthetic chlorine taste and odor, cysts, Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOC) and MTBE.
Chloramines have a stronger taste and are more difficult to remove than
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chlorine.
Mercury is a toxin that can cause kidney damage.
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Lead is a toxin that can cause kidney problems or high blood pressure in
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adults and developmental problems in children.
Cysts are a common cause of health issues. They can be found in some
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municipal water sources but more often found in wells under the influence
of surface water.
VOC is a name given to a wide range of organic contaminants, some are
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known to be carcinogenic.
MTBE was used in gasoline to reduce emissions and is considered
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harmful.
Perchlorate*:
Perchlorate is a by-product of munitions manufacturing (common in solid rocket fuel, road
flares, etc) that can be found in some water sources.
Arsenic:
Arsenic (As) is found naturally in some well water. Arsenic in water has no color, taste or
odor. It must be measured by a lab test. Public water utilities must have their water tested
for arsenic. You can get the result from your water utility. If you have your own well, you
can have the water tested by an accredited lab. The local health department or the state
environmental health agency can provide a list of certified labs. Culligan International
is one such lab. For more information please contact your local Culligan dealer. For
additional information about the arsenic in water can be found through the EPA's
website at www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic.html.
There are two forms of arsenic: pentavalent arsenic (As (V)) and trivalent arsenic
(As (III)). Special sampling procedures are needed for a lab to determine what type
and how much of each type of arsenic is in the water. In well water, arsenic may be
pentavalent, trivalent, or a combination of both. Reverse osmosis membranes are effective
at reducing pentavalent arsenic but not trivalent arsenic. The Arsenic specific cartridge was
specifically designed to reduce trivalent arsenic.
* Cartridges not for sale in California.