Why should I have the iStraw?

The iStraw can provide cleaner and safer drinking water preventing illness from bacteria like Cryptosporidium or Giardia. You will also help lessening your personal Carbon footprint emissions by reducing your usage of plastic bottles of water and inturn helping to save the environment.

According to recent research by the Travellers Medical and Vaccination centre -

• More than 50% of travellers report some kind sickness when travelling
• Around 40% of travellers report Diarrhoea
• Nearly 18% of travellers lose at least 1 day of their trip to illness
• Almost 4% lose 4 days or more to illness

Harmful Bacteria - what are they?

• Cryptosporidium is a parasite that enters lakes and rivers through sewage and animal waste. It causes cryptosporidiosis, a mild gastrointestinal disease. However, the disease can be severe or fatal for people with severely weakened immune systems. EPA and CDC have prepared advice for those with severely compromised immune systems who are concerned about Cryptosporidium.
• Giardia lamblia is a parasite that enters lakes and rivers through sewage and animal waste. It causes gastrointestinal illness (e.g. diarrhoea, vomiting, cramps).

Chemical Straw Vs Chemical Free Straw

Filtration Method	Portable Chemical-based Filtration Straw	Portable Non-Chemical based Filtration Straw
Product Name	N/A	iStraw
Filtration Methodology	Carbon / Iodine - Chemical Based	Microfiltration - Non Chemical
Filtration Capability on Particle Size	15 micron	99.99999% retention of Bacteria (Brevundimonas Diminuta)
Filtration Capability	Ineffective against Giardia. Giardia is a nasty parasite that can cause abdominal discomfort for several weeks. It can be in municipal water system, streams and creeks, so care should be taken not to drink water that is not purified for safety. Does not filter any parasites. Does not filter any of the heavy metals. First few millilitres of water consumed will be contaminated with bacteria and viruses for the first use after storgae above 30°C	Effective against Giardia, Cryptosporidium, related Oocysts & bacteria as generally avaliable in municipal waters, streams, creeks. Does not filter any of the heavy metals.
Water Taste en usage	Leaves a very unpleasant iodine taste to the water.	No after taste.
Disease Suspectibility	Excessive iodine intake is especially dangerous for those people with a predisposition to "Grave's Disease", because iodine can trigger this condition in susceptible people.	N/A - Chemical Free
Personal Usage	It should not be used by persons with allergy to iodine, persons with active thyroid disease, or pregnant women over the long/medium term.	Can be used by all everyone from all walks of life on continued regular usage
Common Diahorrea	Iodine and other halogens are relatively ineffective at killing cyclospora, a troublesome diarrhea-causing bacteria prevalent in most countries.	Cyclospora can be prevented by iStraw
Pregancy & Maternity Usage	Contraindicated in pregnant women because it can affect the fetus. Not recommended for children, people who are afflicted with a thyroid disorder or allergic to iodine, not for regular use over more than 3 weeks, because of potential harm to the thyroid gland.	Not applicable as it is non chemical and can be freely used by everyone from all walks of life
Uptake Capability	up to 700 litres uptake	up to 500 Litres uptake
Usage Span	Indefinate depending on physical reaction of user and after effects felt - if and when applicable	Generally 250 days based on average usage of 2 litres per day as normal usage
Cleaning Methods for the Straw	Company recommends periodically blowing the straw clear of water to clean the filters; this will cause bacteria to be trapped in the filter.	Supplied reagents tablets for cleaning - depending on usage
Disposability of Straw	Should not be generally disposed as it would affect the environment due to its chemical content	Does not contain chemicals
Ease of Usage	Simple & Compatible for Everyday Usage	Simple & Compatible for Everyday Usage
Any Powered Source required	No	No