Hygiene

Practicalities Health Hygiene Clean Water 

In most developed European countries tap water is perfectly safe and the same is true of the vast majority of north America and Australasia, though you would have to be more careful in desert and wilderness areas, and anywhere the piped water is not under constant pressure. However, given that children may be affected by even relatively harmless local bugs, you might prefer to be safer.

Options include:

• Bottled Water generally safe though it is worth bearing in mind that in the UK at least higher levels of bacteria have been found in bottled water than are permitted in tap water. In addition, some bottled waters have a high mineral content considered unsuitable for small children and particularly for babies whose undeveloped system might have difficulty handling these. (One marker is to look for something with less than 20mg of sodium per litre). Do try to ensure that the seal has not been broken and if you have doubts go for fizzy rather than still as this is harder to fake cheaply.



• Boiling is generally considered the best purifying method but you need to boil for a full five minutes and some authorities suggest 10 for a baby. Others reckon even just bringing the water to a rolling boil is sufficient. However, it is reported that this method may not always kill cysts in the water. Note that hotel kitchens may well not boil the water for any length of time and may even simply heat rather than boil it. In self-catering it can be relatively simple to do this yourself but some hotels will provide a kettle in your room if you explain your position in advance. One disadvantage is that you have to leave the boiled water to cool before using. If you buy a travel kettle it is useful to check that it will work to 100 and 200v. Travelextras Away from reliable electricity supplies you would need an alternative such as cook and mess tins with blocks for heating, or a good quality stove. [Suppliers].



• Chemical Sterilisation is not ideal as chlorine is not guaranteed to kill giardia or amoebic cysts, and iodine, although thorough, is not suitable for under 12s or pregnant women. In addition to simply adding iodine to the water (which then needs to be left for 20 minutes) there is a treatment developed in the 1970s called iodinated resin treatment. Water is passed through iodinised resin beads which are reported to release small amounts of iodine into any viruses and bacteria encountered in the water. This is reported effective against viruses and bacteria but has a limited effect on protozoan cysts like giardia.



• Microfilters rely on small pores, measured in microns (one millionth of a metre) to trap bacteria and protozoa such as cholera and giardia. However, they do not remove viruses which are generally smaller than a micron and therefore pass through. Most manufacturers therefore suggest use in combination with iodine, which is not advisable which children (see above). Because the filters are so fine they clog easily. [Suppliers]



• Combined Filter and Iodinated Resin Filters usually using a pump system for forcing water through both a filter and a sterilising cartridge using the iodinated resin treatment mentioned above. A carbon filter removes the taste of iodine. Combination filters are reported effective against all micro-organisms and because the filter is not as fine these are rather less likely to clog, though will still do so if you use water containing visible sediment and are best used in restaurants and cleaning suspect tap water. Replacement filters are required after around 400 litres or in the case of the filter cap around two years. However, the iodinator, once wetted, will last only three months of disuse as the iodine tends to ‘gas off'. The real problem for parents though is that, because involving iodine, the chemical may remain in the water so it may not be appropriate for children. (An independent US study found that this was the case for example.) Some suppliers, notably Thirst Point report that this is being overcome. [Suppliers]. Note that even this superior type of filter does not improve the taste of the water.



• A stabilised oxygen solution, of a type similar to that used in some swimming pools in place of chlorine. A liquid concentrate of electrolytes of oxygen containing 5% oxygen and 5% ozone carrying mineral salts is added to water where it releases pure molecular oxygen which is reported to eliminate toxins and kill harmful viruses, fungi and anaerobic bacteria (apparently most pathogens are anaerobic), without harming friendly, aerobic organisms. Pathogens reported destroyed include E-coli, staphylococcus, streptococcus, and salmonella. Usefully the produce is reported also useable in all liquids that may contain water including fruit juice, milk, coffee, tea and iced drinks, and can be used for washing fruit or vegetables to be eaten raw, as well as in water for brushing your teeth. Note however that use of this kind of product is not recommended during pregnancy.