so im getting ready for my backpacking trip to Glacier with my sister and im looking at some info on my msr water filter (model: miniworks EX) and im on the msr website a moment ago and i see some questions and answers. ever notice that the qeustion and answer sections on websites are generally amusing? they are. and so was this one. i spotted the question: "will my filter protect me from bioterrorism?" oh this will be good...
Answer: As a result of the September 11 attack and the following concerns about bioterrorism, MSR has received a number of inquiries regarding our microfilters’ ability to protect against such threats. MSR microfilters will protect you from all harmful microorganisms that are 0.2 microns or larger. The anthrax bacteria, for example, measure a whopping 8 microns and would be removed by all MSR filters. Any attempts to taint our drinking water would be difficult to undertake and far less effective than other approaches. Additionally, if a water reservoir were contaminated with a biological agent, it is highly unlikely that enough organisms could be added or would survive the treatment process of the water plant to provide an infectious dose at the tap. Our water supply is more likely to be compromised or cut off completely as a result of a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or hurricane, or by a general state of disorder following any kind of attack or natural disaster. By including a good water treatment device in your emergency kit, you will be prepared for a most situations.
first off...what do they mean by: "and far less effective than other approaches"??!?
how enlightening and amusing and interesting that they (msr) put in their little plug about the logistics of a bioterrorist attack on drinking water supply. they really go into detail about the cause and effects of it all, and although they are right on about contaiminates in a water reservoir (and that it would be less effective than other approaches)...i think they are missing the fact that a smart terrorist would tap the drinking water mains
after the water is treated and is being distributed to the city/town. and i am like duh!? dont even the people at msr think of this. i can understand if the news reporters (no offense) with thier pretty makeup and soothing voices cant understand it..but msr?!? im a little dissapointed.
but but but...maybe they
are really super smart. and they
did think of the fact that a good smart terrorist would insert contaminates into the mains
after the water was treated. (and preferably not right after the treatment plant, as most drinking water treatment facilities put chlorine in the water to maintain a sustained residual - which maintains the hygienicity of the water all the way to the individual homes) and the people at msr realized that this
is a real threat. and
would really screw things over...
SO
they gave everyone a false sense of security by only bringing up one example: terrorists putting biohazards in reservoirs. then they distract the reader from the point by talking about earthquakes and natural disaster and such...they sure do a good job at distracting. but really. come on people. in my opinion that would be the dumbest thing a terrorist could do...put biohazards in a water reservoir in hopes that it will make
through the water treatment plant and kill an entire community.
does that mean these biohazards will sustain all the
processes of a drinking water treament plant?:
1. Flocculation/Sedimentation
2. Filtration
3. Ion Exchange
4. Adsorption
5. Disinfection (includine chlorination, ozonation, and ultraviolet radiation)
thats what i thought
but in the end, its good to know, during my backpacking trip. if someone puts the anthrax bacteria in a reservoir or lake up there, i will be ok. so will my sister.
and in the end the people at msr are either really dumb or are really smart.
