Products
Common Questions about Steripen
What is a SteriPEN?
The SteriPEN Classic, used by elite backpackers and day hikers, has proven to be a fast, light, effective, easy, convenient, and cost effective handheld water purifier. It purifies 16 oz of water in only 48 seconds, weighs only 8 oz (with batteries), and kills 99.99% of Viruses and Bacteria with no chemicals to ingest, no pumping or test strips. There is no set-up, no clean-up and it costs only 9 cents per gallon when used with rechargeable batteries.
How Does SteriPEN Work?
SteriPEN utilizes UV (Ultraviolet light), the newest, fastest growing, portable water purifier category. UV light is short wave light, between x-rays and visible light wavelengths, which destroy the DNA of microbes in seconds. Without DNA, microbes can't reproduce or make you sick. UV is an old technology. In 1878 its effectiveness against bacteria was noted and is now used commercially in most bottling plants and in hospitals and water treatment plants.
More Detail on UV Light
Ultraviolet light is invisible, high energy light.Wavelengths of light are measured in nanometers (nm). A nanometer is one billionth of a meter. Visible light ranges from red at about 700nm to violet at about 400nm. Normally the human eye does not see light at wavelengths outside of this 400nm to 700nm "visible" range. The entire band of UV light is about as broad as the entire visible spectrum-it runs from 400nm to about 100nm. The UV band is divided into 3 ranges: UV-A between 400nm and 320nm, UV-B between 320nm and 290nm and UV-C between 290nm and 100nm. Most of SteriPEN's light is emitted at 254nm, in the UV-C range.
UV-C light destroys DNA and thereby prevents microbes from reproducing. Germicidal UV light-between 240nm and 290nm-acts on thymine, one of the four base nucleotides in DNA. When a germicidal UV photon is absorbed by a thymine molecule that is adjacent to another thymine within the DNA strand, a covalent bond or dymer, between the molecules is created. This thymine dymer prevents enzymes from "reading" the DNA and replicating. Without the ability to replicate DNA, the microbe cannot reproduce and is rendered harmless.
Is The UV light from the SteriPEN dangerous?
If used as directed, SteriPEN will not cause UV exposure to the user. UV-C will not pass through most materials. Drinking containers made from glass, ceramic, metal, and nearly all plastics block UV-C transmission. Also, the underside of the air/water surface in a water container acts as a reflector for UV-C. As a result, when SteriPEN's lamp is immersed in the drinking vessel, the UV-C is well contained. As an additional safety feature, SteriPEN is equipped with water sensors. SteriPEN's water sensors prevent it from operating unless the lamp is under water. There are a small number of uncommon materials that are transparent to UV-C light. These include optical grade quartz (the SteriPEN lamp material) and a few fluoropolymers in the Teflon family.
Does the SteriPEN Effect the Taste or Add any Chemicals?
SteriPEN disinfects with light only. No chemicals are needed. By not using chemicals, SteriPEN avoids problems of chemical toxicity and unpleasant chemical taste.
How fast does the SteriPEN work?
SteriPEN has an onboard microcomputer that controls operation time. It also has temperature sensors. The user must decide on one of two volume choices-either 16 oz or less or between 16 oz and 32 oz. Then, the user pushes the activation button and puts the SteriPEN in water. SteriPEN automatically delivers the appropriate dose duration and then shuts off. There is no need for the user to time the operation. SteriPEN's dose time ranges from 38 to 48 seconds for 16 ounces to 90 seconds for 1 quart (or 1 liter). This is far faster than chemical treatments that can take up to 4 hours. SteriPEN is also generally quicker-and certainly far easier-than pump filters. No pumping and no filters to clean. It is also worth noting that SteriPEN's speed and ease of operation makes it useful in places where filters and chemicals are out of place such as restaurants, cruise ships and cafes.
Is there anything special I must do to the water before/while I use the SteriPEN?
During a SteriPEN treatment it is important to agitate the water by stirring gently with the SteriPEN. Stirring of the water insures uniform UV treatment. Also, SteriPEN is intended for use in clear water. Water with significant discoloration or particulates can reduce effectiveness of SteriPEN by inhibiting the penetration of UV light through the water. Many people coarsely filter their water with a coffee filter or bandana if there is sediment in the water. If the sediment is very fine, like suspended talcum powder, it often needs to be allowed to settleto the bottom, whether using SteriPEN or another type of water treatment.You could also purchase a SteriPEN Pre-Filter that fit on most wide mouth water bottles. This Pre- Filter contains a 0.5 micron screen which removes all but the finest of particles.
What batteries should I use in the SteriPEN?
SteriPEN uses four AA batteries. The number of doses is dictated by battery type. Standard alkaline AA's provide anywhere from 25 to 50 16oz doses. Lithium batteries give about 150 16oz doses but have reduced power in cold temperatures. Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries are a great all around choice. While slightly heavier than the other types, they perform well in cold temperatures and provide over 150 16oz doses at temperatures above 32degreesF. The NiMH batteries save money and protect our environment, too, as they can be recharged hundreds of times.
How Effective is the SteriPEN?
SteriPEN's microbiological effectiveness has been tested at 3 universities (U. Maine, U. Arizona, Oregon Health Sciences U.). The test reports are posted on www.steripen.com/testing.html. Used as directed, SteriPEN has been shown to destroy over: 99.9999% of bacteria, 99.99% of viruses and 99.9% of protozoa (i.e. Giardia and Cryptosporidium). These levels of destruction exceed the requirements of the US EPA's Guide Standard and Protocol for Testing Microbiological Water Purifiers.
Will SteriPEN protect me from Cryptosporidium and Giardia?
Both Cryptosporidium and Giardia are among the easiest microbes to destroy with UV ?even in the cyst form. They require far lower exposures to UV light than bacteria or viruses. UV light kills Crypto and Giardia-16 oz. in less than a minute. 32 oz. in a minute and one-half. While it takes 4 hours to kill crypto using chemicals, UV light is extremely effective in germicidally scrambling its DNA and rendering it incapable of reproducing.
Can SteriPEN be used in cold temperatures?
SteriPEN has been successfully used on mountains all over the world-including Kilimanjaro and Everest . If the ambient temperature is below 32degreesF we suggest that you put the SteriPEN in your jacket pocket for a little while to warm it. SteriPEN hasn't been tested in temperatures as extreme as -40degreesF (which is also the same as -40degreesC). While we are not aware of anyreason that this extreme cold temperature would be harmful to SteriPEN, we know of no batteries that function well at -40degreesF.
How often can SteriPEN be used?
SteriPEN can be used as often as needed. When the button on the unit is pressed and you see a green, blinking light the unit is ready to treat its next batch of water.
How long will the SteriPEN Last / Will I need to replace the Lamp?
Lamp replacement is rarely an issue as it is fluorescent and contains no filament to burn out. It also isn't fragile as it is made from thick quartz and surrounded by a thick quartz outer sleeve. However, there may be a time when your lamp needs to be replaced (broken from a fall, has reached its 5000th dose, or fails). While the lamp is programmed to shut down after 5000 doses-to put this in perspective, 5000 doses is approximately 3 doses per day for 4 1/2 years.
Has SteriPEN been tested?
Steripen's testing is based on the U. S. EPA's: Guide Standard Protocol for Testing Microbiological water Purifiers This protocol has many similarities with the NSF Standard 55 but is flexible enough to allow testing of a relatively unique system like ours. Within the portable water treatment industry the EPA protocol is commonly used. National Science Foundation has no standard for testing a device like SteriPEN. NSF's closest protocol is their Standard 55 A and B which is designed for testing "flow-through" UV treatment systems. As the SteriPEN has no specific treatment chamber or "flow rate" it does not fit with the test format.