Solar Water Pasteurizer: The Answer to Preventable Illnesses and Deaths in Developing Countries?

Discover home solar today with solar water pasteurizer and lessen the staggering death due to contaminated water in third world countries. Many non profit organizations believe that lack of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities are the root causes of hunger, disease and poverty throughout these countries.

Pasteurization is the process of killing microorganisms in food or liquids by heat or radiation. The word “pasteurization” was named after the French doctor Louis Pasteur, who demonstrated that diseases are caused by microorganisms that can be killed by heating to 55ºC/131ºF for several minutes.

Pasteurization is a function of time and temperature.  If heat is applied for a long period of time, disinfection will occur at a lower temperature. At higher temperatures, disinfection occurs in shorter period of time.

The dreadful results of contaminated water according to the experts:

1. An estimated 4.6 million children and adults die from diarrhea each year
2. The leading cause of death for children under the age of five in developing nations is infection from waterborne diseases
3. The primary cause of diarrhea is contaminated drinking water
4. 1.2 billion people do not have access to drinking water free from disease-causing microbes
5. 50% of hospitalizations in developing countries result from waterborne disease

Advantages of solar water pasteurizer:

1. It is 99.999% effective in destroying water-borne pathogens like bacteria, viruses, protozoa and worms
2. Uses only the heat of the sun; does not use electricity, chemicals or fossil fuels.

3.Superior alternative to chlorine treatment, which is rated “poor” at destroying worms & protozoa, may be bad for one’s health, and gives water a bad taste.

Boiling water to kill water borne pathogens is common in some third world countries. They use firewood, charcoal and other fuels. Families spend up to 25-30% of income on firewood or water purchases. Gathering firewood for cooking and boiling water takes family members 6-8 hours. This makes solar pasteurization a better alternative.

The World Bank states, "Despite decades of effort...and $30 billion of water investment in developing countries each year…an estimated 10,000 people…die every day from water and excreta-related diseases. Thousands more suffer debilitating illnesses. The tragedy is that these deaths and illnesses are entirely preventable.

The statement is an eye opener. Perhaps it is high time for local governments to take a serious look at the growing problem and institute meaningful reforms. Non profit organizations can likewise reevaluate  their programs and continue to work hand in hand with the government and non government organizations (NGO) in these countries.

We invite you to visit our Informative Solar Article page for more practical tips, simplified application guide and established solar benefits.

Author’s Box
 Jacinto Demonteverde, Jr., the owner, is a strong advocate of solar power adoption. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar users well informed. Visit him at: http://www.justsolarhome.blogspot.com. You are welcome to republish or reprint this article free of charge provided the content remains unchanged including the Author’s Box.