Is this water purifying straw any good?

I bought this water purifying straw at a garage sale for 50 cents. It is new in the package but it does seem to be quite old. The woman selling it said that they don't expire and this should still be fine. I couldn't find any info on this exact item online

What do you guys think? I plan on using it on my trip up to Half Dome.

-can the water going through this be trusted?
-do these things expire?

thank you

Uh, no.

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/1996/April96/181.enr.htm


Take a reliable filter of .02-.03 microns, or chemicals. One of the proven sources of giardia (a common bacteria) has been the Merced River, which you will be hiking along on the way to Half Dome.

Whoa, thats good to know. Thank for that link

Also, the item I have in hand is different than the ones in the article. Probably still the same item repackaged... what do you think?

I think that any such item bought at a yard sale that's clearly elderly is not worth trusting your health to it.

Get yourself a real filter and do away with the question altogether. Some things you really don't want to cheap out on. Your health is more important than figuring out the hard way if it works.

Thank.

Actually, I also bought a "First Needs Water Purification device" from a garage sale for a dollar. This device seems to have good reviews but the only reason I also bought the straws was because it was smaller/lighter. I didn't get a chance to ask the seller of the First Needs how much he has used the device but I think the filter does up to 150 gallons which is quite a lot for one person to do and its in good condition so I don't think he used it much. I tested pumping green tea (brown) through it and it came out as clear tasteless water. I was quite impressed.

I saw one of these in a magazine recently, think it might have been national geographic adventure, so even if this one doesn't work you might check around for one that does. The one I saw was 39.95. Would be handy.

Found this article:
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf...74!OpenDocument

Here is an excerpt:
In addition, EPA is concerned that the claims and advertisements for these filters may imply that they can effectively purify raw water, when in fact they cannot. EPA officials recommend that consumers cease using the two filters, which are sold throughout the United States and internationally, and dispose of them immediately because they may pose a risk to public health.
The drinking water filters consist of a straw (AccuFilter Straw, EPA Reg. No. 64906-1) and a bottle (AccuFilter Bottle, EPA Reg. No. 64906-2). Each device is equipped with a silver-impregnated activated carbon filter designed to filter out sources of odor and taste from drinking water (EPA's registration approved the filters for use on potable water only). The registrant is AccuFilter International Inc., 9915 Southwest Arctic Drive, Beaverton, Ore. 97005.

The principal owner of AccuFilter International Inc., Bruce D. Spangrud, was indicted on Sept. 28, l994, by a Federal Grand Jury on two felony charges that he submitted false statements to obtain an EPA pesticide registration that allows him to sell the drinking water filtration devices. A criminal trial is scheduled in the Federal District Court in Portland on Dec. 20.


So in short, no, get rid of it.