【Interview Part 2】：Dr. Yu｜Guardian of Health

A:Amway

Ｙ: Dr. Yu Su-Lin

<Research and Challenges in Water Purification Technology>

A: What challenges have you encountered in researching water purification technologies? Which technology excites you the most?

Ｙ: Honestly, developing and launching a water purifier is full of challenges. It spans scientific principles, engineering design, practical application, and even market implementation, each stage presents its own difficulties. For me, when determining the technical direction of the water purifier, I deliberately ruled out Reverse Osmosis (RO). The reason is that many companies already offer ready-made RO membrane components, which can be easily assembled, leaving little room for technical innovation.

More importantly, I want to preserve the natural minerals in drinking water rather than remove them entirely. Therefore, I chose to base on activated carbon adsorption technology, combined with other water treatment units. However, conventional activated carbon filter has limited absorption capacity, requires frequent filter replacement, and is not very effective at removing heavy metals. That’s why I was most eager to develop a water purifier equipped with high-density, high-capacity activated carbon to enhance its ability to filter out heavy metals.

A: Why do you not recommend having Reverse Osmosis Water Purifiers for long-term household use?

Ｙ: I believe that drinking bottled water treated with Reverse Osmosis is fine during meetings or business trips. However, I strongly advise against drinking it as long-term at home.

RO membranes have extremely small pores which is about 0.0001 microns, they effectively remove harmful substances such as heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, pesticide residues and PFAS etc. However, they also indiscriminately strip away all minerals and trace elements in the water, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. The final product is “Purified water,” which some refer to as “Poor water” due to its lack of nutritional value.

Although most of our mineral intake comes from food (over 95%), drinking water still serves as an important supplementary source. For individuals with unbalanced diets or those in specific physiological stages, such as children and pregnant women, long-term consumption of mineral-depleted water may pose potential health risks, including cardiovascular and bone health issues. This has been supported by numerous studies.

Additionally, RO Water Purifiers require a pressurizing pump to force water through the ultra-fine membrane, which not only slows down the water output but also increases overall energy consumption. This affects daily user experience and raises concerns about environmental sustainability.

Stay tuned for the final article of this interview series, where Dr. Yu will share his insights on the performance of the New eSpring™ Water Purifier, how it can benefit families in Hong Kong, and his advice for all Amway Business Owners.