We recently had a reader write us with a question about the black particles that are often found in water purified by Brita filters. Here is her letter (you can find our response below it):
I’m curious to know if you have done any testing regarding the black particles that are often found in the post filtered water of the Brita pitcher system.
I’ve heard several horror stories of the effect of the Brita filtered water on the digestive system – luckily I’ve not experienced that. However after I let a glass of filtered water sit for several hours, get to room temperature, I find very small sediment like particles in the bottom of the glass. Its unnerving to say the least and I’m concerned there may be health implication.
When visiting the Brita site they appear to feel this is normal… “Occasionally you may find small black particles escape from the cartridge. These are fragments of carbon due to possible carbon abrasion during transport. This can also lead to a slight discoloration for the first two fillings (which should not be consumed). This is completely normal and does not affect the performance of the cartridge. The contents of the cartridge are all food grade quality and completely harmless.
Thorough soaking, shaking the cartridge well under water and flushing the cartridge (as mentioned in the instructions for use) will encourage loose carbon particles to be released at this stage and help to eliminate further carbon release during use.”
Has any of your testing looked into this?
Unfortunately, we don’t have much information on this phenomenon. It’s worth noting that in general we recommend PUR products over those of Brita because of overall purification quality (the independent consumer review organization NSF rates PUR slightly higher. That said, in our comments on Brita, we have not discussed the “black particle phenomenon” and we can say from personal experience that we have both observed this in Brita filters).
There are, however, a few things to note about it.
1. The black particles are carbon based and should be completely harmless. Brita has actually made a comment on this as the reader mentioned and they have made efforts to relay that these particles are completely harmless. What’s more, there does not seem to be any data from NSF or other testing agencies that would suggest that there may be a health risk posed by these particles.
2. These particles can arrive even with new, properly functioning filters. Brita would have you believe that the particles are the result of a poorly maintained or expired filter. This may not always be the case. There is plenty of testimony from people who have had problems with these black particles despite the fact that their filters are well maintained or in some cases completely new.
3. Whether the particles are harmless or not, who wants to be drinking them? While it may be true that they are completely safe to drink, why do you have to bother with them in the first place? Brita does not make the only water filters on the market and there are plenty of alternative options. It seems clear that this is an ongoing problem with brita filters and it might have to do with a fundamental design flaw of their filters. They don’t seem particularly concerned about addressing it (apart from including it in the FAQ on their website). Our advice would be to simply use a different filter.
{ 8 comments… add one }
This happens with ALL carbon based filters (which is all brands that I know of). It ABSOLUTELY happens with Pur, just as much as with Brita (I did a study with a few neighborhood families with a number of brands)
My concern with the black particles is that they seem to be increasing from what I have seen in the past, and they are now also difficult to wash off the white part of the pitcher. If they are not easy to wash off, I am wondering what happens when they are ingested with every drink of water? Any thoughts on this? Brita seems unconcerned, and the responses I have received don’t address the problem.
A few particles is fine. People actually take capsules of the stuff to alleviate indigestion – it’s a well-known remedy.
Also, it’s become quite popular (2018) to use activated carbon as a toothpaste replacement. People swear by it for its whitening (ironically!), However, I recently read that having a mouthful of the stuff and moving it around with a toothbrushincreases the chances of it getting it stuck between the teeth and below the gum line, which isn’t great. But that’s talking about quite a quantity at one time (a spoonful?)
I just thought of something after sending my previous reply… I remember seeing a documentary about some monkeys in India who learned that by picking through the charcoal remains of a woodfire, and eating the charcoal it would alleviate their tummy problems!
yes, charcoal does help with runnies, but what i found to be a problem… they advertise it to be helpful for digestive system, but it caused me constipation with the normally functioning belly
I found quite a lot of charcoal particles in the Brita filtered water and it really baffled me. Charcoal is pure carbon and human body cannot digest it. Normally charcoal would be excreted from our bodies. But human body will never eliminate the micro sized carbon particles and they will stay! The micro particles are extremely harmful and I don’t know why these companies have not realise this problem.
We have tried everything suggested by Brita and seem to be getting increasingly more charcoal discharge.
The first comment above (by Fadden, in 2018) states that, “This happens with ALL carbon based filters,” including Pur.
Can anyone recommend a good alternative pitcher-based system (not carbon-based)? We don’t have space to hook up something on our sink and are desperately searching for a solution.
Ye its very unpleasant and not nice taste, it happened to my last 5 cartridges even after alot of rinsing out and submerging in water for a hour before use, im not happy at all and am switching to a diffrent water filter system