MadSci Network: Chemistry
Query:

Re: Magnets and water

Date: Wed Nov 11 13:50:52 1998
Posted By: Susan Rollinson, Other (pls. specify below), organic chemistry, Alleghany Micro
Area of science: Chemistry
ID: 907209522.Ch
Message:

Do magnets soften water?

There is some evidence to suggest that very strong magnetic fields may make 
it more difficult to for the compounds responsible for water hardness 
(mainly calcium and magnesium carbonates) to crystallize and form "scale" 
in water heaters and pipes.

There is a lot of garbage pseudo-science on this topic on the web and in 
the popular press.

For real science, check out:

The Skeptical Inquirer

http://www.csicop.org/si/9801/powell.html

Consumer Reports, September 1998
Consumer Reports, February 1996
(You can get these on the web, but you have to pay. Check out your 
library!)

Here are some additional points of view:

A plumber's view:

http://www.plumbingstore.com/limefighter.html

The U.S. Department of Energy also has a lot to say:

http://www.pnl.gov/fta/11_non.htm

A manufacturer of a competing (electromagnetic) technology weighs in:

http://fieldcontrols.com/faqs.html

And here's a fan of magnetic water treatment from the San Antonio Express-
News:

http://www.allwest.net/naturestreatment/articles.html



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