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March 3, 2005 12:01 AM
Broken: Water filter warning label
Bob Sifniades writes:
I had this OmniFilter U25 whole-house water filter installed recently. Today, I noticed it has a label. The label is black on clear plastic, and is affixed to a clear plastic canister. The filter inside the canister is black. The result is an unreadable black on black.
The camera flash brings out the lettering somewhat, but in normal room light, it's invisible. I can just make out the words Caution, Important Notice, and Warning, and that's about it.
When I remove the filter in a few months to change it, I'll be able to read the whole thing. But it came pre-assembled as you see it, so the installer probably didn't even know there was a label.
Funny. There's a craze in the Jewish world now about bugs in NYC water, and City Jews are buying filters. More info: www.ou.org/other/5764/fact%20sheet2.3.doc
I am going to make a couple assumptions here. First I am assuming that the installer was aware of the warning. Second, I am sure that the warning has nothing to do with everyday use. I think it has to do with the proper installation of the filter and what could happen if it is not installed correctly. Just assumptions and guesses.
What else does this company expect the average consumer to do?
I hope the company that makes this produt sees this and while smacking themselves on the forhead says duh.
"Every time you try to operate one of these weird black controls that are labelled in black on a black background, a little black light lights up black to let you know you've done it. What is this? Some kind of galactic hyperhearse?"
The warning label was readable before the unit was put together, so if the label only has to do with installation, it's not *totally* broken. Of the label has to do with use, filter replacement or unit removal, then it's absolutely broken.
In any case, it's doesn't give you much peace of mind, does it.
You guys are talking a lot about the potential purposes of the instructions, but did you think about this: the average user can't read the instructions, so therefore he/she has no idea what the purpose is. It would be nice to just say "Bah those are installation instructions" and forget about them, but what if they are important? If you can't read them to figure out one way or the other, then I say it's broken regardless of their intended purpose.
But you have to think about the aesthetics of the situation as well, alot of people dont want to see ugly glaring warning labels staring right back at them, i would assume that these are installation instructions, cause really, what could you warn someone against doing with a filter, there isnt really much that you could do to break the thing.
You don't understand. I *know* Bob. Bob is a geek extraordinaire (and I mean that in the nicest way!) Bob MUST read the warning label. Bob is driven by a burning NEED TO KNOW, to understand, to analyze. What if the label gives a hitherto unknown glimpse into the inner workings of filtration, hydraulics, world peace? To see that there is something to read, something to learn, something to KNOW, and yet be denied that knowledge by a design probably created by a (gasp!) non-engineer, is Dante's third circle for one such as Bob.
It's broken. Black on black is dress code for snooty art gallery openings, not for anything printed for any reason.
Also why wait to change the filter. why don't you just switch the control valve off. Unscrew the the cover, take the filter out and read the label.
Maybe when your filter fills up with lime deposits the filter will turn white and then you can read the label. No doubt it will say "Not for lime deposits."
quanta: Where is that quote from?
Also, could you slide a piece of white paper between the label and the filter? Of course, if you went to the trouble of doing that, you probably would be able to read it when you took the filter out...
The quote is from the Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams-- I think "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe", being the second book of that "trilogy in four parts".
Come on now! Honestly none of you get it! As a contractor experienced with Plumbing and water filtration. I can tell you this label is brilliant. The warning doesn't apply until you remove the filter. Pulling out the Black Charcoal filter will them make the label obvious and readable. I have heard of a manufacturer not thinking of everythig but come folks this one is a gimmee.
Another example of poor design. Some manufacturer neglected to mention that the material going INTO the plastic "cap" would be carbon, and printed the warning copy in black. Would have been just as easy (and actually readable) to print it in WHITE.
Another example of why it's good to involve your trusted grahic designer in ALL aspects of your job, and not just tell them "make me a warning label".
"Pulling out the Black Charcoal filter will them make the label obvious and readable."
Yes, the label reads:
WARNING!
It is vital to read all instructions on this product before attempting to service it.
Under NO circumstances is the user to remove this filter! Death or bodily injury will ensue.
You can see the word unknown. mabe it says if ther is UNKNOWN derbis in the filter do not take
the filter out or it is UNKNOWN if direct contact with the filter can cause health problems or it is UNKNOWN why OMNI was stupid and TOLD ME to tpye the lable in black so no one
could read the lable about a small poisen chamber in the filter that after a month of use the filter will release the HIGHLY TOXIC POISEN whic will cause INSTANT DEATH.
"Pulling out the Black Charcoal filter will them make the label obvious and readable."
Well, what if you just HAVE to know what it says for curiosity or just in case it says something important? Like "do not remove the filter to read this label"?
New york city drinking water has cryptospiridium. to get a filter that removes them it must be rated by the nsf for cyst removal. to compare water purification products go to nsf.org and check the standard 53 health effects. for more information check the book From Fatigued To Fantastic by dr. Jacob Teitelbaum which has a chapter on water purification or go to my web site purewatermd.tripod.com (don't type www in front of it). anyone who wants to talk to me about water purification can call me at 410 224 4877.
best wishes bren jacobson
I can't believe someone beat me to the punch on the Hitchhiker's quote. (Disaster Area, the universe's loudest rock band...) Not to get off topic, but HG2G is a trilogy of five, not four.
HG2G
Restaurant at the End of the Universe
Life, the Universe, and Everything
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish
Mostly Harmless
New york city drinking water has cryptospiridium. to get a filter that removes them it must be rated by the nsf for cyst removal. to compare water purification products go to nsf.org and check the standard 53 health effects. for more information check the book From Fatigued To Fantastic by dr. Jacob Teitelbaum which has a chapter on water purification or go to my web site purewatermd.tripod.com (don't type www in front of it). anyone who wants to talk to me about water purification can call me at 410 224 4877.
best wishes bren jacobson
Oh no! It's the dreaded... *gasp* DOUBLE POST!!!
AAAH! RUN AWAY! Wait! Is that... a MISSING G???? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....
P.S. Actually, a trilogy of 5 and a half (if you count Young Zaphod Plays it Safe).
they probably did that because they didn't want you to read the label because if you did, you wouldn't buy the filter
I tried enhancing the pic on Adobe Photoshop and
i could not get it any better. There is something about pressure on the label.
This just in: An entire family in Westchester was found dead in their home from an apparent water poisoning. Authorities believe the homeowner failed to read all warning labels. They also found that they removed tags off all clothing, cushions and mattresses. Back to you Bob!
not to beat a dead off-topic horse... but the hitchiker's guide movie comes out on april 29th for anyone who cares... the trailer looks incredible!!!!
Guess what? The U25 comes with a white 5m filter. Who put the black 2m carbon filter in? Ask them what the label said. ROFL
1st thought: With a flashlight get up close to filter and try holding light at different angles.
2nd thought: The warnings might also be written in the manual.(probably dark gray on light gray background.)
I was trying to figure out how to change the filter. It came with the house, so I wasn't here for the installation. That booger was so tight, I thought for sure I would have to take the whole thing off, just to change the filter. My water was stinking and tasting terrible. Thanks for the help ya'll. I appreciate it. 42 ;)
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That's why I always purchase hot pink filters.
Posted by: Maurs at March 3, 2005 12:32 AM