Are Boshart's Filter Housings NSF/ANSI 42 Certified?

Boshart's filter housings are not certified to the NSF/ANSI 42 standard.

The NSF/ANSI 42 standard typically is applicable to filter cartridges. Boshart does have filter cartridges which are certified to NSF/ANSI 42. The filter cartridge is installed inside the housing and filters the water for “aesthetic effects.” This basically means contaminants which affect the visual appearance of the water or taste of the water when related to activated carbon filter cartridges are filtered.

 NSF/ANSI 42 has nothing to do with “water safety” which is a common misconception. Filter cartridges that are NSF/ANSI 42 certified will not make microbiologically unsafe water supplies safe to drink! The filtered water will look and taste better, however the water source must be microbiologically safe to drink. If not, you will need a water purification system to treat and remove harmful bacteria.  

Microbiological Definition: Microbiological refers to studies or tests relating to very small living things such as bacteria and their effects on people.

Aesthetic Definition: The aesthetic-usability effect refers to users' tendency to perceive attractive products as more usable. People tend to believe that things that look better will work better — even if they aren't actually more effective or efficient.

WHAT IS NSF/ANSI STANDARD 42?

NSF/ANSI Standard 42 is subtitled “Aesthetic Effects.” This means that any products certified under NSF/ANSI 42 have been tested and verified for the reduction of contaminants that affect the way the water looks, smells, or tastes to people. Tap water treated by an NSF/ANSI 42 filter tastes the way water should at its best – clean, crisp, and healthy.

Consumers often assume that all water contaminants are harmful to their health which is not always the case. The contaminants treated under the NSF/ANSI 42 standard and testing protocols may not necessarily have negative consequences to your health, however they remain undesirable. Contaminants covered by this certification include particulates and water treatment/cleaning chemicals such as chlorine or chloramine. Chlorine and chloramine impart a negative taste and odor into the water.  Whereas particulates tend to make the water cloudy or murky, making the water much less visually appetizing. Filtering water of aesthetic contaminants under NSF/ANSI standard 42 provides a much more enjoyable drinking water experience.