I've got a couple of friends traveling around the world, China, Tibet, 'nam, Oz, NZ and then Peru. (Long weekend eh?)Andb the're not keen on taking iodine for a year, any ideas? (silly question)

Take a look at this.

Cheers Joan!

Boiling is the best answer if you have the means to do it and in Asia it's mostly how the locals cope. Filtration good too but to work also needs iodine-based matrix thingee. Might be worth looking into what happens if you use vit C to neutralise the iodine taste - it turns it to iodide. I don't know if it also reduces side effects.

Has anyone used any of these 'iodine-based matrix thingee's for a year or more?
How long did it last?
How much did it cost and how much are the replacement filters? (if it needs one)
How effective is it?

Using an iodine-based filter doesn't get you past the issue of ingesting iodine for a long duration, if that's a problem. I can't see any advantage of filters over iodine treatment on its own (in the regions you indicate, anyway) other than better-tasting water. And they're just more expense and weight.

Whenever you're in hotels/hostels or on portered treks, you'll be able to get boiled water, and in Aus/NZ the water supply is safe. And if you're camping, you'll need a stove, so boiling will be as easy as anything else. I'm guessing that as long as not ALL your water intake is iodised, any side-effects will be proportionately reduced.

I've never owned a filter - always used boiling or iodine drops - and never had any problems. Not that I've done it for a year at a time. If you don't like the taste of iodine, PSP22 and some other powdered drinks cover it well.

On the aftertaste of iodine thing, you can add a small pinch of vitamin C powder - asorbic acid - after you've given the iodine time to work and it converts the iodine to tasteless iodide - some iodine manufacturers supply tablets which do this, rip off, they're just vit C.

Filters pump water through a filter btw, the iodine impregnated after filter is to take out some of the nasties that would otherwise survive. It still needs time to work. Best form of iodine are the crystals in a little bottle - reusable (you're jsut making iodine solution) and it also tells you how much you need to use at different temperatures.

Oh, you could always think about one of those bottles with a filter built in, you can get Camelbaks with the same thing too.

ive got one of those lil bottle that were at the outdoors show....they taste fine...like all plastic bottles...no iodine taste and im still her so im sure it works..

Yes but now you've grown 2 heads Ben...

so he has oh no tis Nat isn't it Ben....