{"id":7879,"date":"2007-08-20T09:02:43","date_gmt":"2007-08-20T14:02:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.law.harvard.edu\/ethicalesq\/2007\/08\/20\/a-toast-to-lifestraw%c2%ae\/"},"modified":"2011-08-05T14:53:44","modified_gmt":"2011-08-05T18:53:44","slug":"a-toast-to-lifestraw%c2%ae","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.blogs.harvard.edu\/ethicalesq\/2007\/08\/20\/a-toast-to-lifestraw%c2%ae\/","title":{"rendered":"a toast to LifeStraw\u00ae"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This post about LifeStraw<\/a>\u00ae could save your life. \"\"<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

I was intrigued two years ago when I first heard about LifeStraw<\/a>\u00ae — a 10-inch long plastic tube that turns almost all surface water [including salt water] into potable water. Here’s what Time Magazine<\/em> said about it, when declaring LifeStraw the best health invention of 2005 [“Best Inventions 2005: Healthy Options<\/a>“]:<\/p>\n

Clear Water Revival<\/strong>
\n Inventor<\/em>: Vestergaard Frandsen Group
\n Availability<\/em>: Early 2006; $3 and up
\n To Learn More<\/em>: lifestraw.com<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The price of a caffe latte — about $3 — really can save a life. The LifeStraw, a beefed-up drinking straw designed by the Swiss-based company Vestergaard Frandsen<\/a>, uses seven types of filters, including mesh, active carbon and iodine, to make 185 gal. of water clean enough to drink. It can prevent waterborne illnesses, such as typhoid and diarrhea, that kill at least 2 million people every year in the developing world. It can also create safe drinking water for victims of hurricanes, earthquakes or other disasters. And finally, it makes a handy accoutrement for the weekend warrior’s back-country hike.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

LifeStraw has received a lot more attention in the media<\/a> this past year (from Fortune<\/em>, to NewsWeek<\/em><\/a>, to Katie Kouric<\/a>, who asked if it’s the Invention of the Century), and I finally decided to find out whether it’s available yet to consumers.\u00a0\u00a0 I am pleased to say that it is, and you can Buy LifeSraw online<\/a> (from Sunset Productions Limited) for less than $15 each, plus postage.\u00a0 Each LifeStraw filters enough water (700 liters) to supply an adult’s drinking needs for a year. At this price, every family should have a supply on hand. (Need I mention what a thoughtful gift it would make for loved ones and friends?)<\/p>\n

\"\"As explained at the website of LifeStraw’s manufacturer, Vestergaard Frandsen<\/a>, there is an urgent need to find ways to turn surface water into drinking water.<\/p>\n