We have narrowed it down to 5 simple steps anyone can take to better prepare and protect themselves in the event of a Nuclear Meltdown.

All to recently, we see articles on the news and in the paper about Radiation Leaks at the local Nuclear Powerplant, or catastrophic failures on the other side of the globe such as with Fukashima. But what does that mean for you and your family?

This guide is designed to help assist you and your family adequately prepare for a Nuclear Contamination event and offer advice on steps you can take to protect yourselves!

Step 1) Change Your Clothes – Believe it or not, Radiation is made up from physical particles that when leaked into the air/atmosphere drop down from the sky and are absorbed primarily through the skin.  This is why it is so important to change your clothes and if possible, have a decontamination shower to prevent cross-contamination of your clean clothes. Do this before going inside & spreading the contamination.

Step 2) Get indoors & Seal Yourself Off – Get indoors as soon as possible. This will help prevent a great deal of the exposure in the first 72 hours as radiation levels begin to drop.  Use duct-tape & plastic painter’s tarps for all windows, doors and anywhere outside air can get in.  A basement makes an ideal bunker to weather the radiation storm. *Make sure not to turn on your air conditioner/heater, these draw air from the outside and could contaminate your air supply*

Step 3) Take stock of your inventory – How much food, water & first aid supplies to you have? How long can you wait to reenter the outside world? The longer you are able to shelter in your home, the more the radiation levels will have dropped and lower your exposure.

WATER IS THE NUMBER 1 ITEM YOU WILL NEED IN AN EMERGENCY

We cannot stress this enough, if you do not have clean drinking water in the event of an emergency, you cannot survive. Make sure that you plan appropriately to ensure that you and your family have adequate access to fresh drinking water.

Don’t Use bottled water – Bottled water goes bad, it leaches plastic and can even have bacteria & mold grow on the inside if stored improperly.

The best solution: To get a Water Filter to turn questionable water into clean, drinkable water. Check out the only portable water available that has been certified to remove ALL TYPES OF RADIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS. Not all filters are made the same, some only claim to “reduce” things like chlorine. Other competitor’s products might be inexpensive but will not do you any good in the event of a real emergency. Do your homework to find the best water filter for you and your family’s needs.

Step 4) Turn On The Radio – Public service announcements can be incredibly important during these times as they may relay essential information that can be crucial to you and your family surviving the unimaginable. Be sure to have a hand-crank radio so you don’t have to worry about running out of batteries.

Step 5) Potassium Iodide Pills (KI) – Taking these pills ONLY protect your thyroid gland and will not protect your other vital organs from the effects of Radiation poisoning. Some people have severe allergic reactions to Iodine and should not use these whatsoever. For more information on this be sure to check out the CDC’s page which has tons of great info on the topic: http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/ki.asp

These are just some of the important elements we recommend taking into consideration while preparing for a Radiological disaster. Following these steps is not a guaranteed solution, but are certainly active steps you can take to give you the best chances of survival in this event.

A Geiger counter (see Geiger Counter Wiki) is also a good resource to have on hand to judge the levels of radiation in the surrounding environment.

If you are interested in getting a Radiation Filtering Water Bottle or Pitcher, Click Here:

Radiological Water Filter – Pitcher

Links to other sites: 

CDCinfo – Emergency Info for Radiation Leaks

http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/

http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/ki.asp

Emergencies can happen at a moments notice, without warning and leaving you with litte resources.

But there are steps you can take to significantly increase your ability to survive in less than optimal conditions. It may just be the difference between life and death!

Each year there are hundreds of: Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Tsunamis, Tornados, Power Outages & more. With just a bit of preparation you can make an Emergency Kit that will help keep you and your family alive.

Here is our list of top 10 MUST HAVE items for any emergency go bag.

1) Water 

There is a reason it’s the first thing to sell out in the grocery store. It’s the MOST important thing you need in order to survive.

But you don’t need to go out and stock up on cases of bottled water. In fact, we recommend that you don’t! Believe it or Not, bottled water has an expiration date and the plastic they use for the bottles leaches chemicals into the water. It’s also expensive, heavy and cumbersome to carry making it less than ideal for an emergency.

Instead, get a reusable bottle with a filter rated for use with Lakes, Rivers, Streams & Wells. That way you can store it away empty, and fill it up wherever a freshwater source may be. Also good to keep a Straw Water Filter in your car in case you’re on the road when something happens!

2) Snack Items

Pack some peanuts, trail mix and items like Cliff Bars that are high in protein and have long shelf lives. These are lightweight and good sources of sustenance.

3) A Good Serrated-Edge Knife

Knives are EXTREMELY useful and a good quality knife with a serrated edge will undoubtedly come in handy.

4) Flashlight + Batteries (or Lantern)

One Item most people commonly overlook is a flashlight or lantern for their emergency kit. Oh and Extra Batteries too!

5) Toilet Paper

You’d be surprised how many people forget to put this in their kit…

6) First Aid Kit

This is a must, be sure to include items like band-aids, gauze pads and neosporin or hydrogen peroxide. Also a good idea to have alcohol pads or a bottle of Rubbing alcohol as a disinfectant.

7) Medications

A 2 week supply of medications is a VERY good thing to have in case you can’t get your prescription refilled or there is a run on meds. Also a good idea to have Advill or Tylenol included. 

8 ) Radio

Essential to stay up to date on the state of affairs. Public service announcements can offer input on what’s going on outside of your immediate vicinity.

This is a list of the top 10 items we recommend for your Emergency Kit, but in no way is it complete! You may not be able to prepare for every disaster or situation, and your needs may vary but we highly recommend that you keep a stash of items both at home and in your vehicle or at work in the event that you aren’t able to get to your home.

Click here to open pdf: Consumer Awareness Guide

Most of us have heard about BPA at some point or another, but do you really know what it is, where it’s found, or how to avoid it?

Being in our industry, we get asked lots of questions from consumers looking for more information or answers to these particular issues. Here are some of the most common questions in bold and our answers below.

What exactly is BPA? 

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a known carcinogen found in petroleum based products such as hard plastics and can even be in plastic water bottles.

What makes BPA so toxic is it acts as a hormone disrupter. By mimicking the body’s natural production of estrogen, it upsets your hormonal balance.

I’ve heard about that, but it doesn’t effect me.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), “93% of Americans excrete some BPA in their urine.“ (Time Magazine, 2008). That number increases to 96% when surveying women in the United States.

It is estimated that more than 6 billion pounds of BPA are produced each year. That’s approximately 1 pound for every person on the planet!

So what? I’ve been drinking water from plastic bottles all my life, I haven’t had any problems.

While that may be true, BPA has been linked to numerous health issues and potentially life threatening complications. The debate now is over exposure levels.

BPA has been shown to cause:

Increased Risk of Heart Disease

Hormone Disruption (especially for children & pregnant mothers)

Thyroid Issues

Obesity

Brain Development / neurological issues in non-human primates

Increased risk for breast & prostate cancers

Reproductive Difficulties

Decreased sensitivity to chemotherapy in cancer patients.

What is being done about it?

Health Canada has gone so far as to call it “toxic to human health and the environment.”

In 2011, California passed the Toxin-Free Infants and Toddlers Act, which banned BPA from being used in baby bottles and sippy cups.

Gasoline producer Sunoco refuses to sell the chemical to companies that produce food or water containers for children.

Despite all this, the EPA refuses to take a stand against the chemical saying “EPA does not intend to initiate regulatory action under TSCA at this time on the basis of risks to human health.”

What can I do to limit my exposure?

Exposure to BPA is somewhat inevitable as a result of our reliance on plastics. However, there are things you can do to limit your BPA exposure.

Our first recommendation is to avoid the large 2.5 and 5-gallon hard plastic containers of water. Many people have a monthly subscription to Sparkletts or Arrowhead and have water delivered to their homes. Unfortunately, these hard plastics are often riddled with BPA and when exposed to warmer temperatures or direct sunlight, leach the chemical into the water.

Our next suggestion is to stop buying single-use bottles of water entirely. Have you ever left your water in the car for a day or two only to drink it later and wonder why it tastes funny? The plastic leaches into the water from the container and that is what you’re tasting!

While eliminating BPA from your life may be challenging, you can certainly take steps to control your sources of exposure.

What about your ClearlyFiltered bottles? Do they have BPA in them?

All of our products are made from 100% BPA Free, Non-leaching, Medical Grade plastics.

We believe in delivering the cleanest water possible and a big part of that is starting with the right container.

BPA is a serious health issue and we guarantee that our products do not contain any traces of BPA.

Sources:

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1855853,00.html

http://www.medicinenet.com/plastic/page4.htm#bisphenol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A

The question we often get goes something like this: “How are your products better than Brita?”

It’s a very legitimate question and one we’re thankful consumers are starting to ask. While both Brita and us may be in the same industry of water filtration, the similarities seem to stop there. The difference really is in the filter.

You see, Brita’s products use a very simple, cost-effective carbon filter which they claim makes tap water “taste better” by “reducing” chlorine and not much else.

The problem with words like “filter,” “reduce” and “taste better” is they are intentionally vague. They don’t mean much of anything but they sound really good. To illustrate my point: pouring water through a paper towel will “filter” it, but that doesn’t mean it’s been properly treated and ready to drink.

This is where our ClearlyFiltered products really stand out. Our filters are actually classified as “purifiers” which means they adhere to a much higher standard for water quality set by the EPA.

You can see in the chart below some of the main differences between ClearlyFiltered and the other leading brands.

So whether you currently have a Brita pitcher, are buying replacement filters or are simply looking at the different options on the market we encourage you not to overlook the claims of each product very carefully. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference from actual claims and marketing spin. And as always, if you have any questions we’re just a click away!

Some sobering facts about bottled water:

• Americans use over 30 billion plastic water bottles A YEAR!
• Less than 25% of that is recycled
• Plastic bottled water is made from petroleum, many of which contain the chemical BPA (Bisphenol A)
• BPA is a known hormone disrupter & carcinogen
• It is recommended that children & pregnant women NOT be exposed to BPA
• BPA is “Leached” into the water when exposed to UV rays & higher temperatures
• There is less regulation over bottled water quality than tap water
• Bottled water often costs more per gallon than gasoline

Remember, you can either buy a filter or be a filter. We want everyone to have the cleanest water possible before entering your body!

It’s not very often in our daily lives that we are presented with an opportunity to do something truly selfless. To do something for no other reason but to better the lives of others, some we may not even know.

That is when a few brave women decided not to wait for an opportunity to arrive, but instead to create one by organizing one massive expedition. One that took them on an epic journey to climb to the highest peak in all of Africa to raise money and awareness for those victimized by human trafficking.

They called it “The Freedom Climb.” Forty-eight women from across the world embarked on the journey of a lifetime as they prepared to scale the largest freestanding mountain in the world!

After months of preparation and planning, the team assembled in Kenya to start their climb. For those of us unfamiliar with the particulars of mountain climbing, it is a multi-day ordeal with lots of climbing then descending only to climb again. The reason for this tedious process is to let your body acclimate to the thinner air you experience at higher altitudes. The main concern when ascending mountains isn’t injury, fatigue or even hypothermia, but altitude sickness.

Quick Facts about Mt. Kilmanjaro:

• It’s located in Tanzania and borders Southern Kenya
• Uhuru Peak is the highest summit at 19,341ft
• “Uhuru” literally translated to the word “Freedom”
• It is the tallest point in all of Africa

Although Mt. Kilimanjaro is located on part of Tanzania’s National Park, I assure you it is far from any walk in the park we might be familiar with. It is a serious challenge requiring complete mental and physical dedication. And yet, a group of mostly inexperienced women took a leap of faith and defied gravity by ascending to the top.

It just goes to show what you can accomplish when you combine determination with a worthy cause.

Below is an interview with Kristy Allen, one of the climbers who summited all 19,341ft of the mighty mountain and was kind enough to share some of her experiences with us in a ClearlyFiltered exclusive!
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VIDEO – “The Freedom Climb” Interview with Kristy Allen

For more information about Operation Mobilization and The Freedom Climb you can visit them on Facebook at Facebook.com/freedomclimb or on their website www.thefreedomclimb.net

Wanna get your hands on your own filtered water bottle like the ones the Freedom Climbers use? Check out www.clearlyfiltered.com/products/filtered-water-bottle/

Traveling around the world is definitely one of my favorite things to do in life. Nothing beats the feeling of exploring new places and experiencing new cultures and ways of life.

This past September, I was fortunate enough to be able to take a month long backpacking trip through the heart of Europe and explore the sights I had only ever seen in movies and books.

Traveling On A Budget

Before I left I knew that this was going to be a “rough it” type of trip where every dollar counted and budgets were to be followed at all costs. If you don’t know, the Euro conversion rate isn’t the best so we had to make due with the typical backpacker lifestyle. We’re talking hostels, kabobs, internet searches for cheap travel, you name it. But, these are the types of trips you remember when you’re 80 years old talking to your grandchildren.

When thinking about budgeting for a trip to Europe, or any other place for that matter, it’s important to get your necessities taken care of first. Lodging, food, water, and transportation.
Before I left I knew that I would be taking my clearly filtered bottle with me. This would serve as my main drinking vessel and it would also end up doubling as a “swiss army knife” of sorts for all of my water related tasks.

Before leaving I knew my filtered water bottle would come in handy, but I had no idea that it would become my most important item in my backpack. The beauty about having a Clearly Filtered bottle is the fact that you literally have access to clean water wherever you go. I can remember countless times we were stuck in an airport or train station and all I had to do was fill up in the nearest bathroom sink.

When we would go to dinner or eat out I would never buy a drink or bottled water. After crunching the numbers, this came out to a savings of almost $500 over the month I was in Europe! That’s HUGE!

Staying Safe And Multitasking

One of the best parts about having my filtered water bottle with me was when we would go out and road trip to different cities I would be able to have a full container of water, which kept me hydrated throughout the day. Embarrassingly enough, there were a few times we had to run to catch a plane or train and if we didn’t have our water bottles with us it would’ve been a disaster.

Having my filtered water bottle with me also kept me safe from viruses and bacteria from water sources over in Europe. I would fill up at our hostel sink and be certain that I was drinking pure clean water. There was even a time where I drank “undrinkable” water from a fountain on the Italian Coast. This was a very big relief because it allowed me to not worry about getting sick or getting any bacterial infections. And let me tell you, getting an infection overseas is not a fun situation!!

Another cool thing about traveling with a filtered bottle, is that you can use it for other tasks as well. For example, I was able to use it for brushing my teeth in public places and I was even able to use it for my protein mix and cooking needs when we were in our hotel room.

Overall, I would say that if you’re not traveling with a filtered water bottle of some sort you are really missing the boat. The savings alone are worth your investment because it’s portable, it’s durable, and it gives you peace of mind when traveling through different countries around the world. I would even use it now while traveling in the US just to be extra safe and have a utensil that’s portable and practical. If you haven’t already done so, watch the video above to get a glimpse of what traveling the world with Clearly Filtered is like.

Leave a comment and let us know what you think!

Bottle used in Europe – Athlete Edition Water Bottle

This year we started a new tradition at Clearly Filtered, and it’s one we’re likely to keep. Our first-ever video contest was a huge success and we are very pleased to announce this year’s winners.

Competing for $2,500 in cash prizes, the competition was fierce. The contestants were required to submit an application and only once approved, were they able to go into production. Film students representing more than a half dozen schools from all over Southern California entered but only 4 were lucky enough to be called winners of this contest.

The winners are as follows:

1st Place ($1,000)     Ben Bliss and Samuel Day
2nd Place ($750)       Andy Garcia
3rd Place ($500)       Tie between Kyle Mc-Nair Robinson & Alan Dean

In the end, we just couldn’t make up our minds on which video we enjoyed more so it was a tie for third place.

Thanks again to everyone who participated in this year’s event and made this a truly successful contest.

Now without further adieu, you can watch the top videos on our youtube page:

http://www.youtube.com/user/clearlyfiltered

In their recently published study on hexavalent chromium more commonly know as chromium 6, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that 31 of the 35 U.S. cities that they tested have “measurable levels of hexavalent chromium,” which indicates that “American tap water may be widely contaminated with this potent toxic substance.” Four of the 35 cities that tested positive for hexavalent chromium are located in California, including “Riverside (1.69 ppb), San Jose (1.34 ppb), Los Angeles (0.20 ppb) and Sacramento (0.16 ppb).”

Hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen. It was made famous from the movie Erin Brockovich, starring Julia Roberts, that tells the tragically true story of the cancer-stricken community in Hinkley, California. Hinkley may have won a settlement against Pacific Gas and Electric Co. for contaminanting their local tap water, but the problem still persists.

Some Troubling Facts From the Study:

• At least 74 million Americans in 42 states drink chromium-polluted tap water, much of it likely in the cancer-causing hexavalent form.
• The highest levels were in Norman, Okla.; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Riverside, Calif. In all, water samples from 25 cities contained the toxic metal at concentrations above the safe maximum recently proposed by California regulators.
• The National Toxicology Program has found that hexavalent chromium in drinking water shows clear evidence of carcinogenic activity in laboratory animals, increasing the risk of otherwise rare gastrointestinal tumors (NTP 2007, 2008).
• Levels of the carcinogen in 25 cities tested by EWG were higher than California’s proposed public health goal.
• Studies in both animals and people show that exposure to hexavalent chromium via drinking water leads to elevated chromium levels in tissues, particularly the gastrointestinal tract, blood, liver, kidneys and spleen, and in increased toxicity (Kerger 1996; Finley 1997; Anderson 2002; NTP 2008; EPA 2010a).
• Chronic exposure to hexavalent chromium in tap water is likely to raise everyone’s risk of cancer, but the young and the medically impaired may be especially vulnerable.
• Chromium 6 gets into water supplies after being discharged from steel and pulp mills as well as metal-plating and leather-tanning facilities. It can also pollute water through erosion of soil and rock.

To read the full study, you can find the EWG’s report here:

http://www.ewg.org/chromium6-in-tap-water

About the Environmental Working Group
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a non-profit public health and environmental research and advocacy organization, focusing on an array of public health and environmental issues including chemical contamination of food, water, consumer products and the environment.
Photo Credit: Environmental Working Group