Our most recent laboratory testing indicates that the Black Berkey Purification Elements reduce Arsenic and fluoride up to 99.9%. Typically carbon based elements that reduce Arsenic and Fluoride begin to lose that ability rather quickly. This is likely the case with Black Berkey Elements, which means that their efficiency at removing Arsenic likely plays out long before the 3,000-gallon life of the element.
For that reason, a more durable and longer lasting solution for Arsenic and Fluoride reduction was developed by creating the replaceable Berkey PF-2 Fluoride and Arsenic reduction elements. The media in a set of Berkey PF-2 elements can reliably remove Arsenic and Fluoride contaminants for up to 1,000 gallons, which is less than the 3,000 gallon life of the Black Berkey Elements but again, that is why they were designed to be replaceable. This enables the users to reliably remove Arsenic and Fluoride contaminants from their water while taking full advantage of the 3,000 gallon life of their Black Berkey Elements.
The Black Berkey Purification Element’s job is to remove a wide variety of potential contaminants, while the Berkey PF-2 Post Filter’s job is to remove Fluoride and Arsenic contaminants that the Black Berkey Purification Elements may begin to miss after extended use. Actual reduction capability is dependent on the presence of other competing contaminants in the source water. High levels of fluoride, arsenic, and heavy metals may reduce the capacity and efficiency of these elements.