Published June 9, 2008 04:23PM
Water Purification Mist
On a recent backpacking trip, I mixed Aquamira water purification drops in my Nalgene before we reached a water source. I noticed a mist coming out of the empty bottle just prior to filling with water. What was that, and is it safe to drink?
Question:
On a recent backpacking trip, I mixed Aquamira water purification drops in my Nalgene before we reached a water source. I noticed a mist coming out of the empty bottle just prior to filling with water. What was that, and is it safe to drink?
Submitted by – Steve
Answer:
The mist is chlorine dioxide, a gas formed when Aquamira tablets, and similar products, are added to water, or when the stuff in both bottles of Aquamira liquid are mixed. The gas, of course, kills the germs, but it won’t harm you. You should, however, add these products after you put water in the bottle to make sure enough of the killing power of the gas is left for germs.