The range of effectiveness with Carbon water filters goes from 0.5 microns to 50.0 microns; microns at their lowest point means the more effecient the carbon water filter will be at removing nasty organic chemicals.
Most water filtration systems that work under the counter contain between 12-24 ounces of charcoal; bituminous, coconut shells or wood is where charcoal is usually derived from.
Coconut shell carbon is what the better carbon water filters are based on due to the fact that this carbon is more effective and approximately twenty percent more expensive than wood or butuminous charcoal. Volatile organic chemicals and other impurities are removed by the charcoal by absorption, thereby improving the color, odor and taste of the water.
Pesticides, trihalomethane compounds, herbicides, chlorine, man made chemicals, benzene, radon, solvents, are what we call Volatile organic chemicals which will be found in small trace amounts coming from out taps. Some carbon water filters are able to, but not very well, relinquish iron and other metal particles form our water; is the micron level of the carbon water filter is at 0.5 it may be able to alleviate some of the hydrogen sulfate, iron and maganese.
If your water supply has a high metal content you'll do much better buying a filter designed for this type of job because as you now know a carbon water filter is not noted for removing heavy metals from the water source entirely. Some of the contaminants a carbon water filter probably won't remove also include nickel, mercury, asbestos, sulfate, barium, beryllium, chromium, fluoride, arsenic, nitrates, copper, and any other similar volatile organic chemicals.
Carbon water filters have naturally charged positive ions that assist in removing organic chemicals form our tap water. These positive ions attract negative ions which is what causes the removal of the organic chemicals; the removal of these chemicals will vastly improve the over all smell and taste of the water. Because of the carbon water filter we are also treating our body by not administering into our systems. These chemicals that have been removed can harm us down the road.
In order to constantly remove these chemicals carbon water filter cartridges need to be replaced fairly frequently but of course this depends on how much water is consumed. Please don't wait until the water tasted or starts to smell funny, consult the instructions for the time or gallon allocated for that particular filter to expire. Carbon water filters generally cost a bit less other filtration systems as carbon; especially coconut shell carbon is a renewable source which can be produced inexpensively to meet demand.