What truth, if any, to the Gingi water filter claims?

Factual Questions
1

A local TV news show had a gushing report on how to become beautiful by using water on your face. That’s right, pure water, not like that awful, poisonous stuff that comes out of your tap and kills on contact. The show, as you might expect, had glowing testimonials from people who use it (“it works!”), statements from the manufacturers, even a blurb that MIT said “it could work” (?!), and 2.5 seconds of comment from a mildly-skeptical dermatologist as a “balance” – you know the type of show I mean.

Before I complain to the station (lot of good it will do, but I gotta), I need to bolster my meager knowledge of chemistry. For example, they claim that the filter reduces the size of the water molecules. That doesn’t sound possible to me, but I could be wrong – do water molecules come in different sizes? And if so, can a physical filter be made small enough to pass only some of them?

Naturally, no evidence was given that water molecules of a certain size are beneficial while others are not.

Let’s look at the claims for the Gingi water filter:

I have no beef with a mere filter; I use one myself to remove iron from my well water, although claiming to remove chlorine from non-municipal sources is a bit silly.

Hunh? Since when does water react to a magnet? (And I doubt that there is a magnet in the filter, anyway – it looks just like an ordinary kitchen filter.)

So big water molecules don’t clean your face, but small ones do. And what’s a “friction factor”?

Personally, I’m not sure I want those itty-bitty molecules penetrating my delicate face, but YMMV.

Yeah, but so’s my Brita filter, and it cost me $12, not $70.

The other company mentioned in the news show was Pi Water, which also makes the claim that magnetized water is better for you. I wonder if they can tell the difference?

2

I wouldn’t do it. Dihydrogen monoxide is nasty stuff.

3

Especially when purified, eh? :slight_smile:

4

No.

You are right, and this is b*lls**t.

It might do some generic filtering, but like you said, probably the same as your $12 Britta. Which very very few people need anyway (you are one of the few with what looks like a valid reason – iron in well water).

5

Actually, I’d say that a $12 Brita (or similar ) filter isn’t a bad idea. Note only could there be heavy metals in your municipal water, they coudl leech in from pipes.

But this “Gingi” thing is BS. :dubious:

6

So if there is no such thing as different-sized water molecules and water doesn’t react in any way to a magnetic field, it looks like every single statement in the news show was bogus, except perhaps that they consulted a dermatologist, or that someone feels better after washing their face.

I wonder what the MIT reference was? I don’t see anything on the Gingi web site about that.

7

Realistically, the only heavy metal issue with municipal tap water in the U.S. is lead. If you live in an older house, then if you have kids, make sure to test your water for lead (and it’s not a bad idea even if you don’t have kids).

Other than confirmed lead problems, a Britta might make your water taste better, but it’s not necessary for public water. (In fact, I know of one unpublished study which tested a variety of municipal waters from the East Coast, and found the highest levels of metals in a sample that had been run through a Britta. You see Britta filters use silver to reduce bacteria growth. Not that silver is particularly bad for you to drink – I don’t think Britta’s are bad, just not necessary)

Wells could of course have all kinds of things getting into them, and you should test well water fairly regularly.

8

Water molecules are, within very narrow confines, all the same size. The bonds get slightly longer when you heat the molecule, and smaller when you cool it, but this is of no practical significance at the temperatures we’re considering here. Bullshitters of a higher quality than the Gingi ppeople mention that it’s not the water molecules themselves that get larger and smaller, but the size of the hydrogen bonded water clusters that make up the fluid. These clusters do change in size distribution depending on temperature, and solute content of the water, but they’re so ephemeral that (AFAIK), no one’s ever been able to nail down any differences in the solvent properties of different clusters.

Those clusters are also what people base the supposed effects of magnetic fields on waters properties, but again, given the rate at which the clusters form and break up, it’s highly unlikely that there’s anything much going on. Last year, a Japanese group did manage to show that a 6 Tesla (HUGE!) magnetic field will raises the boiling point of water by 0.0056°C but your water filter unit is in no danger whatsoever of approaching those field strengths.

9

Well, the last time my water was tested was in 2002, when the lead test said 1.4 µg/l and other stuff was within safe levels. I believe most of my plumbing is copper and plastic. I’m not worried about the well water changing much; all the wells in this area have traditionally been good; we are not that close to agricultural areas; the wells are deep and there has been no new construction nearby that might stir things up. With Lake Michigan literally at my doorstep, I imagine that is the major source for the wells. I myself have done biological (e. coli) tests on the surface water in the summer and it came in sqeaky-clean.

I use the Brita only to reduce the amount of iron that clogs coffee pots, and I use the filtered water for cooking and ice cubes. Not that it matters much for those; I can’t tell the difference in taste and I’m not worried about ingesting iron. But the filter sure makes coffee pots last longer. Maybe I should start washing my face with it as well. :slight_smile:

10

It’s not too bad if sufficiently diluted.

11

Wrong, that’s when the homeopathic effects really kick in. :slight_smile:

Wonder water does seem to be a current favourite of the psudeo-scientific fraudsters these days. Read about Penta water here and here . This Gingi water sounds like exactly the same BS, just aimed at gullible face washers rather than gullible mineral-water drinkers.

12

:eek:
Well, for god’s sake don’t drink it!!! Fish pee in it!

13

This is a real breakthrough in water treatment, though it’s actually sold as part of an overll skin care system by the company. Here is the description of the filter from their web site:

*Gingi Facial Water Filter

The only patented facial water filter available, this micro-hydromolecule water purifier removes chlorine, heavy metals & impurities from basin faucet water. Through a magnetized process, the filter activates the seeped water to become smaller water molecules. These micro-hydromolecules thoroughly eliminate cell waste & cosmetic remnants and remove excess oil & residue by literally shrinking the friction factor among molecules. The natural penetration strength of micro-hydromolecules assists in the removal of teeth stains and resistance of bacterial growth. Parts approved by the National Sanitation Federation to yield purified drinking water.*
First of all this is not a “Britta” type filter. If you look closely at the picture on the website description you will see the words “Calcium Sulfite”. Britta filters use (granulated) activated carbon; whereas, sulfites are used (in conventional municipal and industrial water treatment) for removal of iron and residual chlorine. The technology is demonstrated for iron and chlorine though is not usually employed for other metals. Neither Britta or this filter will reduce or remove other dissolved (and ionized) cations or anions (i.e., it will not soften your water and in fact the calcium (of “calcium sulfite”) will slightly increase hardness since it will most likely become solubilized.

The magnetized process is marketing bllsht for rich people who don’t know any better. I agree wholeheartedly with previous posters regarding the efficacy of this claim. I also appreciate that the “micro hydromolecules” reduce baterial growth.
I particularly like the last part of their spiel as it relates to the “National Sanitation Federation”. First of all they could at least be a little more resourceful and learn that the NSF is (and has been) the National Sanitation Foundation. Secondly they reference the fact that the filter contains “parts approved by NSF” which is a far cry from the device itself being NSF approved.

14

Just how is it a “real breakthrough”? Any scientific tests to back that up, or did you just leave out a smiley?

And you just quoted the same text I did.

Futile Gesture, I have been following the Penta Water/Randi Saga with interest, and this brand sure looks a lot like Penta.

It is a shame that a news outlet puts out this kind of crap without more investigation.

15

No magnets, no filters, buy a real bargain cheap!
Get a thousand foot of waterfront on Salt Creek California at $1 /ft.

16

:smack: :wink:

Given the number of responses it seemed the easiest for another reader to view.

My point was to back up what you were saying which is all marketing and little substance while pointing out the difference between this and the Britta, which IMHO, is also a colossal waste of money.

Another point is that either filter needs to have the primary media changed or else you actually create a greater hazard by providing an ideal environemnt for growing bacteria which can be detrimental to your health.

17

The Gingi filter purifies water so that it’s perfectly suited for cleaning the skin of swine. Or, as we Hoosiers say, it’s hogwash.

18

Can I barter a pound of post-digested poultry feed for a filter? The website says they will 100% barter.

I wanna make an air filter that harnesses the magnetic properties of zodiac signs.

19

Interesting how the two filters work differently. But if you saw how much iron is in my water, and how badly it discolors sinks and toilets, and what it leaves behind after boiling, you might want to filter some of it, too. $7 for a cartridge every 4 months isn’t too much for that.

Sure, but when? Brita says the filters last for 3 months or until they get clogged. I haven’t noticed any smell that might indicate a bacterial growth.

Most people around here have a household water softener for that purpose, but I don’t like the feel of softened water.

20

Based on your description I would concur that the Britta is probably the most effective filter device for your situation. My comment was really directed at the vast majority of people who misunderstand the capabilities of GAC filters and expect them to take out other metals, hardness, etc.

As a side note, household softeners are not the best method for iron reduction as the iron can blind the resin if regeneration is done with only brine solution.

Also, generally speaking groundwater is less susceptible to bacteria (and other creatures including viruses) contamination than surface water so again I agree and apologize for any criticism leveled at you.

Just out of curiosity have you ever had the iron concentration in your water measured and if so what it is?