What types of contaminants are removed from the water used in dialysis?

The presence of bacterial endotoxins in water used for dialysis is critical to address because they can trigger severe immune reactions in patients undergoing treatment. Bacterial endotoxins are byproducts of bacterial cell wall degradation and can persist even after the bacteria themselves have been removed through filtration processes. Therefore, the water used in dialysis must undergo specific purification processes to ensure these harmful contaminants are effectively removed, ensuring patient safety and treatment efficacy.

While aqueous salts, water softeners, and rust may be relevant contaminants, they do not pose the same immediate and severe risk to patients receiving dialysis treatment as bacterial endotoxins do. Aqueous salts can be present in water but are typically managed through appropriate dialysis water treatment protocols. Water softeners primarily address hardness in water but do not specifically eliminate biological contaminants. Rust may appear in some settings if water is not properly handled but is less of a concern compared to the serious health risks posed by bacterial endotoxins.