ANN ARBOR, MI March 22, 2005 -- With the United Nations designating March 22, 2005, not only as "World Water Day" but the beginning of the "Water for Life Decade" (2005-2015), increasing availability and safety of drinking water the world over becomes an even more important goal, particularly in underdeveloped areas where overpopulation and a lack of resources may make access to this vital resource more scarce.
U.S. consumers also are increasingly concerned about the quality of their drinking water. With thousands of choices, it may be difficult for consumers to determine which products are suitable for their needs. As part of its mission to help consumers make informed decisions regarding water treatment products, NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization, today provides free educational materials to help families drink safer.
Some of these resources include:
-- Video: Learn More About Choosing a Drinking Water Treatment Unit
-- Understanding Bottled Water
-- Three Steps to Selecting the "Right" Home Water Treatment System
-- Frequently Asked Questions about Home Water Treatment Devices
-- Lead and Home Water Treatment Devices
-- Ten Ways to Make Your Pool and Spa Safer
-- Eight Ways to Protect Well Water Supplies
-- The Six Standards for Home Water Treatment Devices
-- Water Conservation Tips ... Every Drop Matters
-- Water Testing Tips For Private Wells
-- Just for Kids: Water Usage Experiment
To access these materials, consumers and the media may visit the NSF International Website at www.nsf.org/consumer/newsroom/kit_water.asp?program=WaterTre or email questions to [email protected].
"As a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment, we are honored to provide this information to consumers," said Bob Ferguson, NSF water systems vice president. "An essential part of our mission at NSF is public health education. We are committed to helping children and adults learn how to protect themselves against waterborne illnesses such as cryptosporidiosis and typhoid fever."
In addition to water safety, NSF also offers general information on many other public health and safety issues, such as food safety, dietary supplement safety, disaster preparedness, getting children interested in handwashing (www.scrubclub.org) and other issues that impact the entire family's health and safety.
NSF International (www.nsf.org), an independent, not-for-profit organization, helps protect consumers by certifying products and writing standards for food, water, air and related goods. Founded in 1944, it's committed to protecting public health and safety worldwide. It's a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment. Additional services include safety audits for the food and water industries, management systems registrations delivered through NSF International Strategic Registrations Ltd., organic certification provided by Quality Assurance International and education through the NSF Center for Public Health Education.
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