From trail hiking to picnicking, being outdoors holds many benefits to your physical and mental health. Staying properly hydrated while outside, especially during warmer months and hotter geographic locations. In doing so, it is important to ensure you are not consuming any unwelcome bacteria or parasites–whether they come from a nearby lake, or your faucet at home.  What are common parasites and bacteria found in water? There are two common parasites that can be found in your water, no matter the location. First, and more widely known, is a tiny parasite called Giardia lamblia (also know ..read more

Growing up, you probably heard the expression, “Always be prepared.” Whether you were taught that in Boy Scouts or your mother told you that while packing an extra coat, it is important to prepare for anything. This motto not only applies to camping trips and outings, but it is important to prepare for the unexpected even in everyday life. We compiled a list of the top five survival tools to keep in your car, to keep you ready for anything from a dead battery to an overnight stranded situation.  Jumper Cables Nothing is worse than realizing your battery died… when you’re already miles in ..read more

Oftentimes, asking questions like “How clean is my water?” or “Is my water safe to drink?” are met with the solution: Test your water. Many people do not realize that their water is being tested annually, and this information is readily available to them. Understanding your water quality report is a simple and up-to-date way of learning what is in your water and if it is safe to drink.  What is a water quality report? A water quality report, also known as the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), is a report required by the government for local water systems to send out annually to their ..read more

In a post-pandemic world, outdoor pastimes are increasingly popular. Whether you want to take in the beauty of Mother Earth or take advantage of the health benefits of being outside, more people find themselves hiking, camping, or enjoying other outdoor hobbies. It is important to stay hydrated while enjoying these pastimes, and a hollow fiber membrane straw may be just the way to do that.  What is a hollow fiber membrane filter? A hollow fiber membrane filter is a type of filter that is used in many different types of filtration, including microfiltration and reverse osmosis. It follows ..read more

Depending on where you live, floods may be a monthly occurrence or something that never affects you. However, with the weather becoming more and more unpredictable in recent years, it is important to prepare yourself for the worst. Floods can strike with little to no warning, so stay ahead of the disaster with a few simple steps.  Know your surroundings First, understand where your house stands on a flood map (1). The Federal Emergency Management Agency produces maps across the United States to let you know which areas of a community are more or less likely to flood, especially if yo ..read more

Imagine you are walking through the forest on Mile 8 of a mountainous hike. Ahead of you, water trickles from rock to rock, eventually settling in a picturesque lake. This is the perfect place to stop and rest. The water looks so clear, and you’ve been hiking for hours. A couple sips of water won’t hurt, you think to yourself, Will it?  Why would you drink water out of lakes and streams? While to some the idea of drinking out of a lake or stream may seem odd, others know it can be a necessity. Hikers and backpackers often face the challenge of drinking enough water during their treks, esp ..read more

Tap water tends to get a bad reputation, but there is still much discontent over whether or not that reputation is earned. In reality, the quality of your tap water varies based on geographic location, the age and material of your pipes, and many other factors. With this in mind, let’s explore one of the most dangerous contaminants that could enter your water: mercury.  What is mercury? Mercury is a naturally-occurring element known as a heavy metal. Heavy metals are high in toxicity and found in the earth’s crust. In the case of mercury, it is found in rock, soil, and water (1 ..read more

Around ten years ago, the alkaline diet rose in popularity and became known outside of just celebrity circles. Claims of a cancer-fighting, weight loss diet caused a craze that has stayed prevalent to this day. So, what is this famed alkaline diet? Where does alkaline water fit in? What is the alkaline diet? To understand the alkaline diet, first the pH scale must be examined. The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is. The scale ranges from 0 to 14, with lower numbers being more acidic and higher numbers being more alkaline. A substance with a neutral pH, like normal dri ..read more

When many Americans travel to other countries, they take special precautions to avoid drinking the tap water. Many  choose to drink and brush their teeth with bottled water, “just to be safe.” However, these precautions are tossed to the wayside when they re-enter U.S. soil. People assume the water here is held to a higher standard than in other countries. This may not be the case, as over 9.2 million lead service pipes are still active in carrying water to households across the United States (1). Do these lead pipes put people at risk of lead poisoning? Can they get sick from brushi ..read more

Lead poisoning recently came back into the limelight as allegations of children getting sick from applesauce have surfaced. With this small but scary health crisis still being investigated, lead finds itself back in the news. Lead may be more common than you think, however, and applesauce is not the leading culprit. Lead has a tendency to sneak its way into your house through the tap.  What is lead? Lead is a metal found in the earth’s crust. It is toxic to humans and animals alike, and it is likely all around you. Lead can be found in paint from old houses, emitted by motor veh ..read more