BLUE HILL, Maine – The SteriPEN™ Adventurer handheld water purifier is a must-have for anyone who travels to places where clean drinking water is scarce. The SteriPEN uses ultraviolet (UV) light to destroy the DNA of disease-causing bacteria, viruses and parasitic protozoa. Without DNA these microorganisms, even Giardia and Cryptosporidium, can’t make you sick. And because the SteriPEN uses light instead of chemicals to purify, water doesn’t have an unpleasant chemically taste or odor.

The SteriPEN, which is smaller than a typical remote control, is simple to use: Just push its button twice for 16 oz. or once for 32oz., wait for the blinking green light, then dip the device into a container of clear water -- and the SteriPEN goes to work. It will turn itself off at the proper time and give a green light for success or a red light if there was a problem. All you have to do is stir. It takes 48 seconds to purify 16 ounces of water and 90 seconds for 1-quart dose. (Standard chemical treatments can take up to four hours.) You get safe, potable water almost instantly -- no set-up or clean-up required.

The SteriPEN Adventurer, $129.99, weighs less than 4 oz. with batteries and comes with a lightweight carry case. It runs on two CR 123 batteries and the number of “doses” the batteries deliver depends on whether they are disposable Lithiums at 100, 16 oz. doses, or rechargeable Lithiums at 50, 16 oz. doses. The batteries can be recharged with its solar charger accessory (sold separately).