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Outdoor Section => The Outdoor and Survival Forum => Topic started by: Aloha on September 26, 2018, 05:18:19 PM

Title: Question on water purification tablets exp date?
Post by: Aloha on September 26, 2018, 05:18:19 PM
I bought these a while back 2008-9.  My goal was to disperse them within a few packs.  I moved several times since and only located them recently.  The manufacturers expiration is 3-4 year shelf life tho I've also read 5 years?

My question is simply, do these really expire?   
Title: Re: Question on water purification tablets exp date?
Post by: Don Pablo on September 26, 2018, 05:27:40 PM
It depends on the inert ingredients I would say.  :think:
I can’t imagine sodium chloride expiring if properly stored.  :think:
Title: Re: Question on water purification tablets exp date?
Post by: Don Pablo on September 26, 2018, 05:32:15 PM
Sodium dichloroisocyanurate has an “indefinite shelf life” according to its material safety data sheet.
That’s for the dehydrated kind though, I don’t know about the dihydrate version.
In any case, it seems to depend on the packaging and inert ingredients.
Title: Re: Question on water purification tablets exp date?
Post by: Aloha on September 26, 2018, 05:34:10 PM
Ive read all over the inter webs conflicting info.  I don't have a way to measure the effectiveness but I did try one in tap water to smell if there was chemical present  Yes, I could smell but no way of knowing if it was less that when freshly packaged. 

Here's the thing, IF say 3 years was the expiration of these.  I buy on day one of packaging and use on day 7 and again on the last day BEFORE they expire, is the tablet as potent?  What if I use on the day after the expiration?

I know its just as easy to throw away and buy new ones.  Not a big deal.  I have a lifestraw now but thats besides the point. 

Any hard evidence on actual expiration?  We see so many such labelings of items expiring.  I'm not convinced yet I'm not 100% ready to take a chance either  :rofl:. 
Title: Re: Question on water purification tablets exp date?
Post by: smiller43147 on September 26, 2018, 08:28:53 PM
Most things degrade over time.  Those are 10 years old.  I personally wouldn't trust them now.
Title: Re: Question on water purification tablets exp date?
Post by: Aloha on September 26, 2018, 11:18:05 PM
I certainly agree.  I wouldn't either which I why I now keep my Lifestraw in that pack.  I was just more curious than anything about some actually hard evidence. 
Title: Re: Question on water purification tablets exp date?
Post by: sir_mike on September 28, 2018, 03:54:27 AM
I am not sure either but I would pitch them get new ones.  Better safe then sorry!  :)
Title: Re: Question on water purification tablets exp date?
Post by: Aloha on September 28, 2018, 05:06:33 AM
I am not sure either but I would pitch them get new ones.  Better safe then sorry!  :)

Hey brother.  How are you?  I agree they aren't worth the risk.  Just curious. 

I really like the Lifestraw best. 
Title: Re: Question on water purification tablets exp date?
Post by: sir_mike on September 28, 2018, 06:24:18 AM
I am not sure either but I would pitch them get new ones.  Better safe then sorry!  :)

Hey brother.  How are you?  I agree they aren't worth the risk.  Just curious. 

I really like the Lifestraw best.

Hey brother, I know it has been awhile but I am hanging in there!  lol  It's good to be back and I will try to be on more often!  :)  I hope all is good with you!  I need to get out more too hikes and stuff so haven't used much gear in a long time but heard great things on those Lifestraw's!
Title: Re: Question on water purification tablets exp date?
Post by: Aloha on September 28, 2018, 07:20:30 AM
Plenty of time to get out.  Glad all is well keep hangin in.  I'm well and been getting out as much as I can.  So happy to see you pop your head in.   :salute:
Title: Re: Question on water purification tablets exp date?
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on September 28, 2018, 12:54:07 PM
My understanding (and I have it on good authority) is that the tablets do break down on their own without a stabilizing agent, and that is assuming that the packages are 100% sealed, which they likely wouldn't be.

It was also suggested that they are cheap enough, why bother taking the chance?

Def
Title: Re: Question on water purification tablets exp date?
Post by: Aloha on September 28, 2018, 02:45:56 PM
Nice.  Thanks Boss.  They have since been put into the bin.   :salute:.  I am hoping to never need to purify water in an emergency.  My first choice is boil when I am able.   These were unaccounted for in a several moves.  Its ok I've never needed them nor missed them.  Thanks all for joining in.  I think the Lifestraw is a decent size with no expiration date which is what I've put into my evacuation pack.  I also have their water bottle with filtration. 
Title: Re: Question on water purification tablets exp date?
Post by: Etherealicer on October 03, 2018, 08:54:59 PM
In General you can wave expiration dates.

Simply put the company has to proof effectiveness, by doing storage test. So, not only does it cost a lot, there is no real benefit for the company in a longer shelf life.
Anything that has to be consumed cannot degrade into anything harmful. So any medicine or purification tablet is still safe long after the expiration date. At one point will loose effectiveness but that will be long past expiration date.

However, since your life is on the line (diarrhea will ruin your day). I'm with Grant, its cheap enough not to take any risk.

EDIT: Oh and I actually used to do shelf life testing for pharmaceutical companies ;)
Title: Re: Question on water purification tablets exp date?
Post by: Aloha on October 03, 2018, 11:09:08 PM
Thank you for the info E.  I tossed them but for future reference I'll keep the info in mind.   :salute: