The SteriPEN Classic, used by elite backpackers, day hikers and international travelers, has proven to be a fast, light, easy, effective, convenient, and cost effective handheld water purifier. It purifies 16oz (0.5 L) of water in only 48 seconds, weighs only 6 - 8oz (213g) (with batteries), and kills 99.9999% of bacteria, 99.99% of viruses and 99.9% of protozoa with no chemicals to ingest, no pumping or test strips. There is no set-up or clean-up and it costs only 9 cents per gallon when used with rechargeable batteries. The newer SteriPEN Adventurer and SteriPEN Traveler are smaller (6.1” length) and lighter (3.6 oz (100g) w/batteries) than the SteriPEN Classic. The Adventurer and Traveler use the same UV technology as the Classic and purify 16oz (0.5 L) of water in 48 seconds, etc.

How Does SteriPEN Work?

SteriPEN utilizes UV (Ultraviolet light), the newest and fastest growing portable water purifier category. UV light is short wave light, between x-rays and visible light wavelengths, which destroy the DNA of microbes in seconds. Without functional DNA, microbes can’t reproduce or make you sick. UV is an old technology. In 1878 its effectiveness against bacteria was noted and it is now used commercially in most bottling plants and in hospitals and water treatment plants.

More Detail on UV Light

Ultraviolet light is invisible, high energy light. Wavelengths of light are measured in nanometers (nm). A nanometer is one billionth of a meter. Visible light ranges from red at about 700nm to violet at about 400nm. Normally the human eye does not see light at wavelengths outside of this 400nm to 700nm “visible” range. The entire band of UV light is about as broad as the entire visible spectrum – it runs from 400nm to about 100nm. The UV band is divided into 3 ranges: UV-A between 400nm and 320nm, UV-B between 320nm and 290nm and UV-C between 290nm and 100nm. Most of SteriPEN’s light is emitted at 254nm, in the UV-C range. UV-C light destroys DNA and thereby prevents microbes from reproducing.

Germicidal UV light – between 240nm and 290nm – acts on thymine, one of the four base nucleotides in DNA. When a germicidal UV photon is absorbed by a thymine molecule that is adjacent to another thymine within the DNA strand a covalent bond or dymer, between the molecules is created. This thymine dymer prevents enzymes from “reading” the DNA and replicating. Without the ability to replicate DNA, the microbe cannot reproduce and is rendered harmless.

Is the UV light from the SteriPEN dangerous?

If used as directed, SteriPEN will not cause UV exposure to the user. UV-C will not pass through most materials. Drinking containers made from glass, ceramic, metal, and nearly all plastics block UV-C transmission. Also, the underside of the air/water surface in a water container acts as a reflector for UV-C. As a result, when SteriPEN’s lamp is immersed in the drinking vessel, the UV-C is well contained. As an additional safety feature, SteriPEN is equipped with water sensors. SteriPEN’s water sensors prevent it from operating unless the lamp is under water. There are a small number of uncommon materials that are transparent to UV-C light. These include optical grade quartz (the SteriPEN lamp material) and a few fluoropolymers in the Teflon family.

Does the SteriPEN Effect the Taste or Add any Chemicals?

SteriPEN disinfects with light only. No chemicals are needed. By not using chemicals, SteriPEN avoids problems of chemical toxicity and unpleasant chemical taste.

How fast does the SteriPEN work?

SteriPEN has an onboard microcomputer that controls operation time. It also has temperature sensors. The user must decide on one of two volume choices – either 16 oz (0.5 L) or less or between 16 oz (0.5 L) and 32 oz (1 L). Then, the user pushes the activation button and submerses the lamp in water. Once the sensor pins come in contact with water, the lamp is activated. SteriPEN automatically delivers the appropriate dose duration and then shuts off. There is no need for the user to time the operation. SteriPEN’s dose time ranges from 38 to 48 seconds for 16 ounces (½ liter) to 90 seconds for 1 quart (or 1 liter). This is far faster than chemical treatments that can take up to 4 hours. SteriPEN is also generally quicker – and certainly far easier – than pump filters, as there is no pumping and no filters to clean. It is also worth noting that SteriPEN’s speed and ease of operation makes it useful in places where filters and chemicals are out of place such as restaurants and cruise ships.

Is there anything special I must do to the water before/while I use the SteriPEN?

During a SteriPEN treatment it is important to agitate the water by stirring gently with the SteriPEN. Stirring of the water insures uniform UV treatment. Also, SteriPEN is intended for use in clear water. Water with significant discoloration or particulates can reduce effectiveness of SteriPEN by inhibiting the penetration of UV light through the water. Many people coarsely filter their water with a coffee filter or bandana if there is sediment in the water. If the sediment is very fine, like suspended talcum powder, it often needs to be allowed to settle to the bottom, whether using SteriPEN or another type of water treatment. Hydro-Photon, Inc. also offers the SteriPEN Water Bottle Pre-Filter to filter out particulates (down to the size of ground pepper). The Pre-Filter fits most wide mouth water bottles and contains a 4 micron screen.

What batteries should I use in the SteriPEN?

SteriPEN Classic uses four - AA batteries. The number of doses is dictated by battery type. Standard alkaline AA’s provide anywhere from 20 to 40 16oz (0.5 L) doses. Lithium batteries give about 170-230 16oz doses but have reduced power in cold temperatures. Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries are a great all around choice. While slightly heavier than the other types, they perform well in cold temperatures and provide over 180-210 16oz (0.5 L) doses at temperatures above 32°F (0°C). The NiMH batteries save money and protect our environment, too, as they can be recharged hundreds of times.

The SteriPEN Adventurer and SteriPEN Traveler use two – CR123 batteries. The number of 16oz (0.5 L) doses for non-rechargeable CR123 batteries is approximately 100 and the rechargeable CR123 batteries provide 30-50 16 oz (0.5 L) doses depending on the brand of batteries.

How Effective is the SteriPEN?

SteriPEN’s microbiological effectiveness has been tested at 3 universities (University of Maine, University of Arizona and Oregon Health Sciences University). All of SteriPEN’s independent test reports are available for download on our website (HYPERLINK "http://www.steripen.com/testing.html" www.steripen.com/testing.html).

Used as directed, SteriPEN has been shown to destroy over: 99.9999% of bacteria, 99.99% of viruses and 99.9% of protozoa (i.e. Giardia and Cryptosporidium). These levels of destruction exceed the requirements of the US EPA’s Guide Standard and Protocol for Testing Microbiological Water Purifiers.

Will SteriPEN protect me from Cryptosporidium and Giardia?

Both Cryptosporidium and Giardia are among the easiest microbes to destroy with UV – even in the cyst form. They require far lower exposures to UV light than bacteria or viruses. UV light kills Crypto and Giardia – 16 oz (0.5 L) in less than a minute (32 oz (1 L) in a minute and one-half). While it takes 4 hours to kill crypto using chemicals, UV light is extremely effective in scrambling its DNA and rendering it incapable of reproducing.

Can SteriPEN be used in cold temperatures?

SteriPEN has been successfully used on mountains all over the world – including Kilimanjaro and Everest (please refer to our Testimonials page on our website (www.steripen.com/testimonials.html). If the ambient temperature is below 32°F (0°C) we suggest that you put the SteriPEN in your jacket pocket for a little while to warm it. SteriPEN hasn’t been tested in temperatures as extreme as -40°F (which is also the same as -40°C). While we are not aware of any reason that this extreme cold temperature would be harmful to SteriPEN, we know of no batteries that function well at -40°F.

How often can SteriPEN be used?

SteriPEN can be used as often as needed. When the button on the unit is pressed and you see a green, blinking light the unit is ready to treat the next batch of water.

How long will the SteriPEN Last / Will I need to replace the Lamp?

Lamp replacement is rarely an issue as it is fluorescent and contains no filament to burn out. It also isn’t fragile as it is made from thick quartz and surrounded by a thick quartz outer sleeve. However, there may be a time when your lamp needs to be replaced (broken from a fall, has reached its 5000th dose, or fails). While the lamp is programmed to shut down after 5000 doses – to put this in perspective, 5000 doses is approximately 3 doses per day for 4 1/2 years.

Has SteriPEN been tested?

Our testing is based on the U. S. EPA’s Guide Standard Protocol for Testing Microbiological Water Purifiers. This protocol has many similarities with the NSF Standard 55 but is flexible enough to allow testing of a relatively unique system like ours. Within the portable water treatment industry the EPA protocol is commonly used. National Sanitation Foundation has no standard for testing a device like SteriPEN. NSF’s closest protocol is their Standard 55 A and B, which is designed for testing “flow-through” UV treatment systems. As the SteriPEN has no specific treatment chamber or “flow rate” it does not fit with the test format. Information on EPA protocol testing as well as other independent microbiological test reports can be reviewed on our web site (www.steripen.com/testing.html). We have done testing at the University of Maine using Nalgene bottles – the test report is on our web site in the testing section - see the “32 Oz. Test” report.