FAQ's
1. What is the SolarBag?
The SolarBag is a sunlight-activated reusable water purifier that destroys or removes the broadest range of contaminants without pumping, power source, chemicals or replaceable components. Simply place the SolarBag in the sun for a few hours, and enjoy treated water.
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2. What plastic is the bag and lid made from?
The water contact surfaces of the bag and lid are all polyethylene.
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3. Has the SolarBag been tested for plastic migration from the bag?
The water contact surfaces of the bag and lid are certified by our vendor to have passed FDA, USP Class VI and cytotoxicity testing and are BPA free.
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4. What makes the SolarBag better than other products?
No other product available on the market will reduce as many contaminants, metals and pathogens as the SolarBag, nor will it be as simple to use.
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5. How much water can I purify in a SolarBag? Can it be reused?
The SolarBag treats up to 3 liters of water at a time, several times per day and can be reused hundreds of times.
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6. How does the SolarBag purify water?
Inside the SolarBag is a nanotechnology coated mesh insert, which is activated by the UV rays of the sun. This initiates a purification process which includes five separate photochemical actions addressing more contaminants than any other portable water treatment product.
· Chemicals are broken down to harmless minerals
· Metals are removed from the water and sequestered by the insert
· Pathogens are killed and rendered harmless
The full solar spectrum also contributes to disinfection of the pathogens.
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7. Explain how photocatalysis works.
Under the appropriate wavelength of light, our catalyst becomes excited and generates an electron hole pair that can participate in redox reactions. The result of these redox reactions are oxidation compounds that will degrade organic compounds and microbiological matter. The reaction is very similar to how chlorine works but there are no chemicals that need to be added or any disinfection byproducts produced. The oxidation compounds produced during photocatalysis are much stronger than chlorine and result in carbon dioxide and water.
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8. How does the SolarBag remove metals from the water?
Transition and heavy metals are subject to adsorption, photo-oxidation and photo-reduction reactions in the SolarBag. Reactions will proceed based on the metal and the water quality. In many situations, metals such as mercury, lead, and arsenic can be reduced in concentration.
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9. What kind of water can I put in the SolarBag?
Water from any fresh water source is suitable for the SolarBag. This typically includes rain water, well water, lake water, and river water.
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10. Will the SolarBag remove salts, chloride or fluoride from the water?
No. The SolarBag is not a desalination system.
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11. How long does the nanotechnology mesh insert last?
The nanotechnology coated insert is not consumed when the SolarBag is used; it merely serves as a catalyst converting the solar energy to activate the purification processes. Do not fold or crush the SolarBag during use or storage to prevent damage to the insert. With proper handling, the SolarBag should last hundreds of cycles.
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12. What do I do with the water after it has been purified?
Once the water has been purified, use it or pour it into a clean container for drinking or storage. Replace the cap to keep the SolarBag clean.
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13. Does the SolarBag have any kind of certification?
The SolarBag has been tested to the US EPA Guide Standard and Protocol for Testing Microbiological Water Purifiers for inactivation of bacteria, viruses and protozoan cysts in a challenge water defined by the EPA. Under these testing procedures, the SolarBag killed more than 99.9999% of all bacteria, 99.99% of all viruses and 99.9% of all protozoan cysts. It has also been certified or approved by the WHO (Click Here to Review Report).
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14. How do I know when the SolarBag is done purifying the water? When is the water ready?
We recommend 3 hours in direct sunlight and 6 hours on a cloudy day. You can test the performance of your SolarBag by performing a simple test using the food safe Pur-Blue Process Timer. Simply add one drop of the Pur-Blue to the SolarBag after you have filled it with water, then place the SolarBag in the sun as normal. When the blue water dims in color to almost clear, the water has been treated.
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15. Do you have to use the Pur-Blue every time to check the water has been purified?
The Pur-Blue is a visual indicator to how well the SolarBag is performing based on changes in the sun exposure, number of bag uses, and water quality. Using Pur-Blue will slightly extend the treatment time for the bag but can be used every time. Periodic checks with the Pur-Blue are recommended in lieu of every sample batch.
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16. Why is a pre-filter attached to the SolarBag?
It is important to use. The pre-filter removes larger particles like grains of sand, leaves, and sediment from the water as its being poured into the SolarBag. Tests have shown the pre-filter removes particulates, as small as 100 microns. Despite this relatively large size it also helps remove parasites like cryptosporidium.
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17. How do I use the attached pre-filter?
Remove the cap and insert the pre-filter into the SolarBag. Stretch and fold the elastic to secure it around the opening to the SolarBag. Pour the source water through the pre-filter until the bag is full. Remove the pre-filter and replace the cap.
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18. Does the pre-filter have any kind of certification?
The pre-filter was tested as part of the SolarBag to the US EPA Guide Standard and Protocol for Testing Microbiological Water Purifiers for inactivation of bacteria, viruses and protozoan cysts in a challenge water defined by the EPA.
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19. Why is the water still tea-colored after being treated in the SolarBag?
The tea-color typically results from two sources, either dissolved organics or suspended solids from natural sources. Any of the suspended solids that get passed the pre-filter will not completely clear in the SolarBag.
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20. Is tea-colored water safe to drink?
It is important to remember that turbid water does not necessarily indicate unsafe water. The SolarBag was tested in turbid, dark colored water and met the EPA guidelines for a water purifier in those conditions. All efforts to reduce turbidity should be taken before treating in the SolarBag for the best results.
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21. How do I properly dispose of the SolarBag?
The bag can be recycled as Type 7 plastic (mixed). Check with your local waste management provider to ensure proper disposal.