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Reducing Exposure to Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM)
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Jan 21 12:22pm | Replies (164)Comment receiving replies
When water is distilled, the purpose is to remove metals and other contaminants; doing that actually sterilizes the water. The bottling and sealing process may or may not be done in sterile conditions.
Distilled water used in medical settings is bottled in sterile conditions, labelled sterile, and provided in ampules, bags or bottles of appropriate size to be completely used in one application. Leftover amounts are not considered sterile and are discarded (for example, a squeeze bottle used for wound irrigation is tossed after the wound is bandaged.)
When distilled water is bottled for commercial use (like the gallon jugs in the grocery store) they are not labelled sterile, so the bottling process is unknown. And once the bottle is opened, airborne contaminants can find their way into the bottle, so it can no longer be considered sterile. If the seal is compromised during handling, it may or may not be sterile when you buy it. That said, distilled water is nutrient-poor, so it is a poor growing medium for bacteria, but...
I don't use any sinus rinse, but if I did, I would err on the side of caution and boil whichever water I use according to their instructions.
As for Crystal Geyser being the recommended spring water, I believe it is a matter of personal taste and availability. Have you found something different?
Sue
Replies to "When water is distilled, the purpose is to remove metals and other contaminants; doing that actually..."
I have a home distiller. I use my own distilled water for boiling my airway clearance devices. Not only am I in control of the distiller, I also don't need to lug jugs of distilled water maqde in some factory home from the grocery. I don't currently use a nasal rinse but I think I would be confident using my home brew distilled water.
My respirologist said that even distilled water needs to be boiled for 10 minutes for a sinus rinse.
I understand DW can get contaminated a bit by air getting in since its not sterile
And of course if seal is broken we wouldn't buy it. I actually use DW to boil my equip for 10 minutes in a kettle but doubt I have to run away from that steam because I dont think it has much in it.
And I boil DW to use in sinuses just to be sure we arent putting microbes up into sinuses.
AI Overview (checks several sources) says:
"NTM Lung Disease | Living a Normal Life | Aquamedix
Distilled water is unlikely to contain nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) because it's free of organic and inorganic materials. However, NTM has been found in other water sources, including tap water.
Explanation
Distilled water is a type of water purification that boils water , the distilled removes more than 99.9% of dissolved minerals from water. This process makes distilled water free of organic and inorganic materials.
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Thank you, Sue, so much for this detailed info! So I warmed up my sterilized, boiled drinking water in the microwave and used it for my nasal rinse. Since I don’t have my syringes (that I can boil for my nasal rinses), I used the plastic bottles that came in the kit. I sanitized them in my WABI.
Geez does this ever get less complicated! 😆
I’ve been in an apartment for the last several months.
I am definitely getting paranoid after reading that article. Maybe my paranoia will dissipate after I take my COLD, SHORT showers for now on!