How Does Vitamin C Neutralize Chlorine?

The image below demonstrates how the antioxidant molecule of Vitamin C effectively converts a free radical molecule of chlorine into a harmless chloride by means of a simple electron transfer. This prevents the free radicals found in chlorinated water from creating a chain reaction once they come into contact with our bodies. The byproducts of Vitamin C dechlorination are dehydroascorbic acid and inorganic chlorides, both of which are harmless to humans and the environment.

Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant by being itself available for energetically favorable oxidation. Many oxidants such as the hydroxyl radical (as seen with KDF), contain an unpaired electron and thus are highly reactive and damaging to humans and plants at the molecular level. This is due to their interaction with nucleic acid, proteins and lipids. Reactive oxygen species oxidize (take electrons from) Vitamin C first to monodehydroascorbate and then dehydroascorbate. The reactive oxygen species are reduced to water while the oxidized forms of Vitamin C are relatively stable and non reactive, and do not cause cellular damage.

The perfect all natural dechlorinating shower filter that neutralizes chlorine & most chloramines from your shower water that's also completely safe for your entire family.

Not only do our shower filters provide greater than 99% TOTAL CHLORINE neutralization, it does so by adding the exact amount of pure pharmaceutical grade Vitamin C to your shower water. Adding the VshowerUSA Vitamin C shower filter to your existing skin care and hair care routine is quick, easy and totally transparent.

With the VshowerUSA Vitamin C shower filter you get the best of both worlds. Perfect chlorine removal PLUS any benefits that may stem from being exposed to one of Earth's most powerful antioxidants - Vitamin C! The VshowerUSA Vitamin C shower filter is also a true chloramine shower filter, unlike KDF/Carbon type shower filters.

It's not only about what we take out of your water, but how we do it that separates the VshowerUSA from traditional shower filters. At VshowerUSA we believe in providing you with total protection from any type of chlorine found in your shower water.

Free Chlorine & Chloramine (combined chlorine)

In order for you to fully appreciate the power of using Vitamin C to dechlorinate your household shower and bath water, you must first understand the potential dangers related to chlorine and chloramine exposure. The very presence of these toxic chemicals in our public water supplies represent a real threat to our overall health and well being.

Chlorine, also referred to as free chlorine, is used the world over to disinfect public water supplies. Its ability to seek out and destroy harmful disease causing organisms is well documented and has provided us with a relatively safe water supply for many years. But chlorine also has a darker side many have come to experience first hand. Its ability to destroy deadly organisms in our water also creates problems once we expose ourselves to this toxic gas. Since chlorine doesn't differentiate between good organisms and bad ones, it continues to attack the healthy cells within our bodies once we expose ourselves to it. This unhealthy exposure to chlorine over an extended period of time has generated several health related cases, many of which have been directly linked to chlorine exposure.

When you take a hot shower or have a long soak in the bathtub some chlorine will always evaporate out of the water in the form of a toxic vapor. These vapors can also be spread throughout the home and be inhaled by others. While bathing, chlorine is also absorbed directly through the open pores of our skin and into the bloodstream. There are several reports that claim our exposure to chlorine while taking a ten minute shower is equal to what we get by drinking the exact same chlorinated water throughout the entire day. It is estimated that we received between 6 and 100 times more chlorine while bathing and drinking untreated tap water than medically recommended each day.

Chlorine attacks healthy skin cells and is known for destroying the oils naturally found there. This creates a dermal drying effect that can lead to an increase in wrinkles and other imperfections in the appearance of skin. Chlorinated shower water may also aggravate existing skin conditions or cause new outbreaks to erupt. Bathing in chlorinated water may also result in the weakening and breakage of hair shafts or disrupt the normal operation of the hair follicle itself. As chlorine is absorbed by our bodies through our skin or by inhaling the vapors, several additional side effects should be noted. Chlorine as been known to irritate the eyes, leaving them red, itchy and burning. Inhaling chlorine vapors in steam can irritate the sinuses, lungs and even aggravate existing breathing conditions such as asthma.

Chloramine, although a more stable compound, contains a combination of chlorine and ammonia and is also used to control bacteria in water systems. Its harmful effects cause the same dangers as pure chlorine. The VshowerUSA Vitamin C shower filter can effectively neutralize both free chlorine and chloramines with near 100% efficiency. KDF & Activated Charcoal type shower filters cannot neutralize chloramines from your shower water under any circumstances.

Limitations of Using KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) Process Media Within a Shower Filter

• KDF filters cannot remove organic chemicals such as pesticides, disinfection byproducts, MTBE, chloramines, heavy metals, etc. Only moderate to high free chlorine reduction is to be expected within a shower filtration device.
• KDF filters must to be back washed periodically with hot water to remove insoluble contaminants. This method wastes many gallons of unusable hot water and there is no way to prevent dislodged pollutants from coming out later with the supposedly filtered water. Shower filter manufacturers that claim their devices do not require regular backwashing do so because they are fully aware that KDF within a shower filter does nothing other than to reduce free chlorine. Since no insoluble contaminants are actually trapped by the KDF media, there is simply no need to backwash the unit.
• KDF filters are dependent on water temperature. For every 25 degree rise in water temperature there is only a 4% increase in effectiveness for free chlorine removal. This is assuming there is 1 pound of KDF present at a bed depth of 3.5" with a flow rate not exceeding 3.0 gpm.
• KDF filters generally reduce water pressure and flow rate. At 2.5 gpm you can expect to see a 10 psi drop in your water pressure. At 3.0 gpm you can expect to see a 15 psi drop in your water pressure.
• KDF filters are vulnerable to the level of particulate matter present in the water. Sediment of this type can obstruct the surface of the KDF media rendering it even less effective for free chlorine removal.
• KDF process media produces hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide. Both of which have a higher oxidative potential than chlorine itself. These free radicals are potentially more harmful to healthy cells than is chlorine.
• The effectiveness of KDF to reduce free chlorine is directly proportional to the amount of contact time that can be maintained. Long contact time simply cannot be achieved in any shower filtration device.
• KDF filters are intended to be used as drinking water filters, not shower filters. They are in no way similar.

Limitations of AC (Activated Carbon) Within a Shower Filter

• AC filters actively promote the growth of bacteria within the warm, moist confines of the shower filter enclosure. AC is actually a food source for bacteria under these conditions.
• AC filters are totally ineffective in the presence of fast moving warm or hot water and will quickly break down. There is no logical reason to use AC within a shower filtration device. Drinking water filter manufacturers that use AC within their devices consistently warn users from running hot water through the unit. The same rule applies to shower filters as the AC used in both devices is identical.
• AC filters are adsorptive, meaning trace contaminants that manage to be trapped will adhere weakly to the surface of the carbon particles until capacity has been reached. Once this happens, the contaminants will be released back into the water stream. There is simply no method to determine when this will occur.
• AC filters require long contact time with the contaminants that are intended to be adsorbed. This combination of high shower water temperature, fast moving hot shower water and short contact time render AC totally useless in a shower filtration device.

How It Works

The VshowerUSA Vitamin C Premium Dechlorinating Shower Filter is a marvel of engineering due to its simplicity of design. This allows the shower filter to operate without the need for constant maintenance or supervision. It will never become clogged or otherwise obstructed and is manufactured to the highest level of quality usually only found in shower filters costing two to three times as much.

Here's how it works. After the VshowerUSA filter is installed, the shower water is turned on to pressurize the filter body through one of two very small holes located at the top of the filter's cartridge. This process, which may take up to 1 minute, forces chlorinated water into the cartridge, which instantly transforms into a supersaturated solution of Vitamin C, Vitamin E & dechlorinated water.

Once the cartridge is completely filled, the VshowerUSA filter begins to operate normally. As chlorinated water runs through this pressurized system, small amounts of this supersaturated solution of Vitamin C & Vitamin E is released into the passing water stream through the second hole in the cartridge. Since the cartridge is constantly being replenished by incoming chlorinated water, it will always be filled with this powerful Vitamin solution.

This is what makes the VshowerUSA Vitamin C shower filter so special and truly unique. Whether your water pressure is high or low, this filter will continually adjust to ensure the proper amount of Vitamin is mixed with your shower water until the end of its useful life. On top of that, you never have to worry about not getting enough Vitamin C to fully neutralize the chlorine in your shower. This entire process is completely transparent to the user and only requires you to turn the shower on.