What Does a Micron Mean and Why Does Micron Rating Matter for Water Filters?

2023-07-31

You may not be familiar with the unit of measurement called Micron. However, if you have ever bought a water filtration system, you might recall hearing it mentioned by a salesman or seeing it highlighted on the packaging of a filter. To help you fully comprehend the significance of the micron, we will provide you with a comprehensive explanation of what it represents in this article. Furthermore, we will clarify how it can impact your decision-making process when selecting water filtration systems.

How Big is a Micron?

The micron, short for micrometer, is a unit for measuring length. There are one million micrometers in one meter, in other words, a micron is equivalent to one-millionth of a meter. It is a common unit of measurement for the sizes of biological cells and bacteria.

The commonly used unit of measurement for describing something too tiny to be visible to the naked eye is often referred to as a micron. Our unaided eyes are typically limited to detecting objects as small as 0.1 mm (millimeters), which is 1000 times larger than a single micron.

Let's find out the size of a micron.

  • A micron is equivalent to 1 millionth of a meter
  • A micron is also equal to one-thousandth of a millimeter
  • In terms of inches, a micron measures approximately 39 millionths (0.000039) of an inch.
  • Four microns make up one-thousandth of an inch.
  • A magnification of 40 microns is required to see particles
  • The diameter of a human hair typically ranges from 40 to 90 microns

If you are struggling to understand the minuteness of a micron, gain a clearer understanding by examining the comparison provided below.

Material

Size (Approximate)

Beach Sand

0.3 to 60 microns

Corn Starch

0.1 to 0.8 microns

Dust Mites

100 to 300 microns

Smoke (Wood)

0.2 to 3 microns

Sugar (Powdered)

60 microns

Pet Dander

0.5 to 100 microns

Coffee (Ground)

5 to 400 microns

Microns Play a Crucial Role During Every Stage of Filtration

To determine the effectiveness of a water filter, look for the micron rating, which is typically displayed on the packaging or filter itself. The micron rating is a crucial factor in any filtration system, as it determines the filter's ability to remove debris based on size and quantity. By simply examining the micron rating, you can gather valuable information and make an informed decision, avoiding any misleading sales pitches.

Micron Ratings in Water Filters

Industries commonly utilize various micron ratings for their filtering requirements:

  • 5 Microns: The food and beverage industry often employs 5-micron filters to effectively remove tiny debris from juices and liquids. However, these filters are prone to clogging or debris buildup.
  • 10 Microns: This rating is commonly employed in oil or chemical plants. It can eliminate minuscule substances that escape the naked eye, but microbes like bacteria and viruses can still pass through unhindered.
  • 25 Microns: Filters with a rating of 25 microns find utility in chemical processing industries. They are capable of filtering out particles larger than a white blood cell without encountering clogging issues.
  • 50 Microns: Filters operating at a 50-micron level enjoy popularity across various industries. They effectively remove particles visible to the human eye, such as human hair and larger debris, without experiencing clogging problems.

To determine the appropriate water filter for your household needs, it is essential to identify your specific requirements. Do you require clean water solely for washing vegetables and fruits, or are you seeking pure drinking water? Understanding your specific needs is crucial to ensuring the accurate purchase of water filters.

 

To facilitate a convenient selection process, we have compiled a list of commonly identified contaminants in drinking water. By identifying the undesirable elements in your filtered water, you can use their respective sizes as the benchmark for choosing the appropriate micron rating of your water filters.

 

Impurities

Size

Bacteria

0.3-60 microns

Atmospheric Dust

0.001-40 microns

Bromine

0.1-0.7 microns

Smoke From Natural Materials

0.01-.01 microns

Carbon Dioxide

0.0065 microns

Household Dust

0.05 microns

Dust Mites

615 microns

Mold

3-12 microns

Pollen

10-1000 microns

Pet Dander

0.5-100 microns

Lead Dust

0.1-0.7 microns

Pesticides & Herbicides

0.001 microns

Silt, Fine

8-13 microns

Silt, Very Fine

4-8 microns

Chlorine

0.000175 microns

Whole-home filters typically consist of a pre-filter and a main filter, which work together to provide you with cleaner and safer drinking water. The pre-filter is responsible for eliminating larger particles and substances that are larger than 1 micron in size, including impurities, contaminants, and debris. On the other hand, the main filter is designed to tackle smaller impurities like chlorine, chloramines, and bacteria. Thus, it is important to consider the micron rating of the multi-filters when selecting a whole-home filter.

Additionally, there are other highly effective water filtration systems available for your consideration.

Filter1pro AO01 Replacement Refrigerator Water Filter for EDR1RXD1 W10295370A P8RFWB2L 9081 Filter 1 Whr1rxd1

Our water purification system can efficiently eliminate dangerous chemicals, unpleasant tastes, and odors. It successfully eliminates 99.99% of bacteria, heavy metals, and all particles larger than 0.9 microns. By doing so, it safeguards against waterborne illnesses such as Cholera, Typhoid, Salmonellosis, Leptospirosis, Dysentery, E. coli infections, and numerous others that could potentially contaminate the water you consume.

Buy now at Filter1pro.com

Filter1pro AO03 Replacement Refrigerator Water Filter for EDR3RXD1 4396841 4396710 9083 Filter 3 White

With its advanced technology, the EDR3RXD1 replacement water filter effectively eliminates harmful elements like chlorine, lead, mercury, cadmium, and thallium, safeguarding human health. Additionally, it minimizes unpleasant odors, chlorine taste, and the presence of dirt, dust, and other detrimental sediments in the water.

Buy now at Filter1pro.com

Final Decision

Once you've grasped the crucial skill of selecting the finest water filters, it's time to put it into action by purchasing refrigerator water filters, outdoor water filtration systems, faucet water filters, and other options available on Filter1pro.com. Don't delay. Start practising it now!