Yes, Berkey water filters are capable of removing arsenic from water. The Black Berkey filter elements are designed to remove a wide range of contaminants, including toxic heavy metals like arsenic. However, it's important to note that they are not specifically designed to remove arsenic over the long term.
If you are concerned about arsenic in your drinking water, Berkey supplies PF-2 fluoride and arsenic reduction filters that are designed to be used in combination with the Black Berkey filter elements.
Learn more about the health risks associated with arsenic and how arsenic removal filters work in the article below:
Health Risks Associated with Arsenic in Drinking Water
Arsenic is a naturally occurring, highly toxic semi-metallic element that is found in soils in many regions of the world. It can leach through soils and enter groundwater that serves as a source of drinking water. Arsenic in drinking water isn’t just a minor concern—it’s a serious hazard to your health, especially if you're exposed to it over a long period.
What are the stakes if your water has been contaminated? Let’s list some of the key health concerns associated with arsenic:
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Skin Lesions: Long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water can cause various kinds of skin issues including the formation of dark spots on the skin, and thickening of the skin on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
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Cancer: Arsenic is a known carcinogen. Long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water has been linked to several types of cancer, including skin cancer and bladder cancer.
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Cardiovascular Disease: Chronic exposure to arsenic can lead to cardiovascular issues such as high blood pressure and hardening and narrowing of the arteries.
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Diabetes: There is evidence that long-term arsenic exposure can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
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Neurological Effects: Arsenic exposure can impact the nervous system, resulting in numbness and tingling sensations in the extremities.
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Reproductive and Developmental Effects: Arsenic exposure can have severe effects on reproduction and development, including increased risk of birth defects and fetal mortality. In utero and early childhood exposure to arsenic has been linked to impaired cognitive and physical development, resulting in memory and learning difficulties, and increased deaths in young adults.
Given these significant health risks, it is crucial to ensure that drinking water is free from arsenic contamination. Using an appropriate water filtration system such as the Black Berkey elements combined with PF-2 filters can help mitigate these risks by effectively removing arsenic from drinking water.
Regular testing of water sources and following local guidelines for arsenic levels in drinking water are also important steps in safeguarding health.
Why Are Two Different Filters Required?
While the Black Berkey elements are capable of removing up to 99% of arsenic initially, their efficiency reduces over time as they are not designed to target arsenic specifically. The PF-2 arsenic reduction filters are designed to specifically target arsenic and fluoride.
When the Black Berkey filter elements are used in conjunction with the PF-2 fluoride and arsenic filters that uniquely target the entire family of arsenic oxide anions and arsenic cations, the amount of arsenic that can be removed can be greater than 99.9%, making it one of the most effective water filters for removing arsenic available on the market.
Unfortunately, PF-2 filters work only with Black Berkeys... which are out of stock due to the ongoing lawsuit. But there is an alternative that we recommend to use in the meantime: Ceramic All-in-One Filters that can also remove arsenic from the drinking water. While not as good as Black Berkeys, they can be used in Berkey systems as a temporary replacement. You can learn more about the difference between ceramic filters and Black Berkeys here.
Replacement Filters for Berkey Systems
610 ReviewsPF-2 Fluoride and Arsenic Water Filters (2) - Fits Black Berkey Filters Only$103.00103.00
How Berkey PF-2 Filters Remove Arsenic
When a set of Berkey PF-2 arsenic reduction filters are used in combination with the Black Berkey filter elements in a Berkey system, water undergoes a two-step filtration process. This achieves optimal filtration efficiency, as outlined below:
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Step 1 - Black Berkey Elements: The water first passes through the Black Berkey filters, which act as primary filters that handle the initial filtration process. The Black Berkey elements are able to remove over 200 of common drinking water contaminants, including pathogenic microbes, heavy metals, chemicals, and other harmful substances. They are very efficient but not specifically designed to target fluoride and arsenic to the same extent as the PF-2 filters below.
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Step 2 - PF-2 Arsenic Reduction Filters: After passing through the Black Berkey filter elements, the water then flows through the PF-2 arsenic reduction filters attached to the bottom of the Black Berkey filter elements for the secondary phase of treatment. The PF-2 filters employ a combination of activated alumina and other media to reduce arsenic levels.
The combination of these two types of filters ensures comprehensive removal of arsenic. The Black Berkey filter elements perform general filtration, while the PF-2 filters specifically target and reduce arsenic and fluoride.
Therefore, for the best protection against arsenic, using both the Black Berkey elements and PF-2 filters is recommended.
As arsenic is not always a problem in drinking water, this setup provides a flexible solution, enabling users to customize their system based on the characteristics and quality of their water supply.
Improved Efficiency and Longevity: Enjoy Arsenic-Free Water for Years
To optimize arsenic removal efficiency, Berkey recommends using a set of Black Berkey filter elements (fitted in the upper chamber) in tandem with a set of Berkey PF-2 fluoride and arsenic reduction filters (screwed onto the underside of the Black Berkey filter elements in the lower chamber).
The Black Berkey filter elements and PF-2 filters can be purchased individually (as a set or two) or as a combo package consisting of a pair of Black Berkey filters and a pair of PF-2 filters.
Installing the Black Berkey filter elements in conjunction with the PF-2 arsenic filters will not only improve filtration efficiency but will also extend the life of the filters. By pre-treating the water before it is filtered by the arsenic filters, the load on the PF-2 filters is reduced, helping to and maintain their effectiveness and increase their lifespan.
Want to make sure that your water is safe under any circumstances? Get your set of Berkey PF-2 fluoride and arsenic reduction filters, and enjoy cleaner, safer water every day.
Do Berkey Water Filters Remove Arsenic? : FAQ
Do Black Berkey filter elements remove arsenic from water?
While the Black Berkey filters can remove arsenic from water, the activated carbon filter media quickly becomes clogged up becoming less efficient over time. Due to their superior efficiency, Berkey PF-2 filters are recommended for long-term removal of arsenic.
Do I need both Black Berkey filters and PF-2 Berkey arsenic filters?
Yes. If your water supply contains arsenic and you are concerned about exposure to this toxic contaminant, you will need a set of PF-2 filters in addition to the Black Berkey filter elements.
Can I use PF-2 arsenic filters without Black Berkey filters?
As the PF-2 filters screw into the Black Berkey filter elements, they can't be used as stand-alone filters.
How long do Berkey arsenic filters last?
Berkey recommends that under normal conditions, the PF-2 fluoride and arsenic filters should be replaced after they have filtered 1,000 gallons (3,785 liters) of water or after 1 year of use, whichever comes first.
Do Berkey arsenic filters need to be cleaned?
The PF-2 filters can be cleaned if the filtration rate starts to slow down. However, as they are fitted to the base of the Black Berkey filter elements, the water that passes through them has already been filtered and pollutants removed. Therefore, the PF-2 filters don't normally tend to get as clogged as the Black Berkey elements and don't need to be cleaned as often.
