So in preparation for a 3 day trip to Kootenay National Park this weekend I picked up some Katadyn Micropur MP 1 Drinking Water Purification Tablets. I figured they would be less of a hassel - especially in the cold - than the usual Chlorine Dioxide drops I usually take. Here is a list of some of the selling features listed on the front and back of the packaging:

• Effective against Viruses, Bacteria, Giardia and Cryptosporidium - Good, same as the drops
• Improves the taste and odor of treated water - I don’t know what could take better than a mountain stream but I guess that can’t hurt…
• Easy-to-use tablets - Excellent! The reason I’m buying these.
• Meets EPA microbiological water purifier tests - Not sure what these tests are, but it’s the EPA they must know what they’re talking about right?
• […] the safe choice for campers, hikers, […], and anyone needing to drink water of questionable microbiological quality - Hikers eh? Sounds good.

Now, apon opening the packaging there are 30 individually wrapped foil packages. They seems to be no easy way to open them other than a knife or scissors (or your teeth! but you’ll see why that might be concerning in a second).

The only information on the inside of the packaging is the times required to kill certain bacteria and viruses and a small note called “Precautionary Statements” and “First Aid”. The First Aid bit seemed a bit odd at first, but after reading the precautionary statements it seems less out of place. Here is the Precautionary Statements verbatim:

Precautionary Statements
Harards to Humans and Domestic Animals
DANGER. Corrosive. Causes irreversible eye damage and skin burns. Harmful if absorbed through the skin. Harmful if swallowed. Do not get in eyes, on skin or on clothing. Wear protective eyewear (goggles, face-shield or safety glasses) protective clothing and rubber gloves. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling. Removed contaminated clothing and wash before reuse.

WTF?! Harmful is swallowed??? Maybe I should take my chances with the giardia then! And they expect me to take protective eyewear into the mountains with me? Hah! Of course this is just the lawyers being careful, but still….