LifeStraw - Solving the Problem of Clean Water?

This story on Engadget is one that truly has the potential to change the world.

A device about the size of a large pen or drinking straw, the LifeStraw is a complete water purification kit that draws its power from the person sucking down the water. The LifeStraw is the product of ten years of development work, based on the goal of creating an efficient, affordable water-purification system for the developing world, where water-borne illnesses are a major killer. When produced in quantity, each LifeStraw — which uses a combination of mesh filters, iodine-impregnated beads and active carbon to remove particulate matter and bacteria — is expected to cost under $2...

If they are smart, what they'll do is sell these as expensive add-ons to survival kits and terrorism preparedness kits, and use the extra profits to subsidize cheap sales to the developing world! I could easily see an American paying $50 for such a device under the brand name "Super Pure" and thereby essnetially underwriting 24 of them free for the neediest peoples.