LifeStraw now available to consumers

NEW YORK — A portable, personal water filter now is available to consumers in the United States and Canada for the first time.

LifeStraw, designed to remove bacteria and parasites from water, is powered by user-generated suction and ideal for outdoor activities, overseas travel, and emergency preparedness, parent company Vestergaard Frandsen said. The straw's filter is chemical-free and made of durable plastic and when properly used, will filter at least 1,000 liters (or 264 gallons) of water. In 2010, Vestergaard Frandsen distributed thousands of LifeStraw personal water filters to victims of the Haiti earthquake and Pakistan floods.

LifeStraw currently is available through online retailers Eartheasy and Green Beetle for $19.95 plus applicable tax, shipping and handling.