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ChlorineFree JUN 2010 SPN

NEW AND ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS MUST ‘PROVE’ THEY ARE EFFECTIVE

maintenance is practiced”.

New and alternative treatments to kill bacteria in swimming pools must prove their effectiveness before they can be approved for widespread use.

That is the significant message contained in a draft guidance document from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Task Force on Biocides which is now undergoing a review following feedback from relevant organisations. The report says “For many years, disinfection of swimming pools and spa pools has relied mainly on chemical disinfectants based principally on chlorine and bromine. “The efficacy of these traditional disinfectants is well established with regard to different kinds of pathogenic microorganisms. New types of chemical disinfectants however, which lack that established record, should be shown to be effective against pathogenic microorganisms under conditions found in swimming pools and spas before they can be approved for use”.

The OECD is a forum of countries committed to compare policy experiences, seek answers to common problems, identify good practices, and co-ordinate domestic and international policies.

The document describes how applicants could demonstrate that a proposed new pool and spa disinfectant would satisfy efficacy criteria.

“Applicants should note that as a prerequisite to demonstrating efficacy criteria, a new disinfectant should also meet the regulator’s safety criteria relating to human

health and to the environment. For example, valid scientific evidence should show that there is no adverse health impact on bathers or toxic effect from the disinfectant or its by-products that exceeds health standards as a result of either short term or extended immersion in water treated with the disinfectant. The OECD report says that before any biocide efficacy testing is conducted involving exposure of human volunteers, the substances should undergo risk assessment. “When in-use evaluation is required, it is critical that human beings are not exposed to potential microbial infection or chemical health risks during the field testing phase of any new biocide product, taking due consideration of exposure from other sources. “Applicants should be able to establish that the proposed new disinfectant is effective against suitable indicator species of pathogens in the major classes (bacteria, protozoa and viruses) of human pathogenic microorganisms commonly found in swimming pool and spa pool water. “An effective residual concentration of disinfectant can be maintained in the body of the pool to provide continuous disinfection within the water at all times. While not a requirement, the possibility of an automatic dosing system for the disinfectant is highly desirable. Efficacy can be maintained in a pH range consistent with bather safety and comfort and in the presence of ion and other solute concentrations commonly found in pool water where appropriate water quality

The document sets out the processes for any new system trying to win approval and prove its efficacy. The procedures are seen as being demanding and costly. “Tests should be carried out at 25° to 30°C for swimming pools and 34° to 36°C for spa pools and at a pH that is consistent both with good efficacy of the chemical disinfectant being tested and acceptable for the comfort and safety of bathers. If parallel hypochlorite controls are incorporated into the testing protocol, such chlorine controls should be carried out at a pH of 7.2 to 7.3. Simulated pool water should be used that reflects typical pool source water and good pool water maintenance practices. In this way, the lowest effective concentration identified for the disinfectant will be compatible with real use conditions. Each member country may choose to specify test water quality characteristics according to prevailing local conditions.

“During disinfection testing, no chemical with disinfecting properties other than the test disinfectant (which may be a mixture of two or more active constituents) is to be present in the water. The disinfectant needs to remain effective against pathogens at 50% of its recommended operating concentration to accommodate inevitable lapses of proper user maintenance, dosing errors or occasional failure of automatic dosing systems”.

The full OECD document can be found at www.oecd.org/dataoecd/6/7/43980001.pdf

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“There are other safety factors to consider. “Chlorine may have been the accepted sanitiser for pools in the past but as awareness of the alternative builds, more pool operators are reassessing their procedures and chemical usage in line with COSHH regulations. COSHH guidelines state that wherever possible, a site should eliminate the use of any hazardous substance where an alternative, less hazardous substance can be substituted. As coverage of the negative side of chlorine grows, so does every organisation’s need to reduce its hazardous chemical usage. “PoolSan is a viable and practical

alternative to chlorine in pools and spas – something else to bear in mind when COSHH and risk assessments are being completed. “In simple terms, PoolSan is a unique highly developed ionic liquid that uses and improves on the chemistry of the traditional ionisation process. An easily dosed natural mineral solution, it contains no chlorine, bromine, acid or other harsh chemicals. Being hypoallergenic it does not cause breathlessness, eye irritations, asthma attacks, eczema or other health problems associated with chlorine use. “The water in a PoolSan pool is odourless and tasteless; it will not damage costumes,

dry out hair or leave unpleasant smells on the skin. Not only is the poolside atmosphere much fresher, it is also non-corrosive. “In addition, PoolSan is an effective algaecide and does not evaporate, making it ideal for use in pools where sunlight may adversely affect the operation of chlorine.” In the United States public pressure has been growing in favour of reducing or eliminating chlorine for the past five years. A number of high profile pools are now carrying out more formal trials of low or non-chlorine alternatives. Dr. John Marshall, of the Pure Water Association, the American consumer group, said

AQUAFINESSE LAUNCHES INTO POOL WATER ‘ALTERNATIVE’ MARKET

AquaFinesse the product which has built up a strong reputation for alternative water treatment for hot tubs has launched into the pool water market. Its new AquaFinesse Pool system will be available in the next few weeks. AquaFinesse is a patented environmentally friendly water care solution that allows users to enjoy their hot tubs without the harsh effects of chemicals. Said Sally Koob from

AquaFinesse: “As with all of our products AquaFinesse Pool eliminates slime, grime and calcium build up from the pipe work and surfaces of your equipment and is designed to be quick and easy to use allowing bathers more time to relax and enjoy crystal clear, safe pool water. “AquaFinesse products are not biocides and do not contain complicated organic compounds. They work simply by loosening

the bio film (slimy layers) from their substrate, to keep the pool and hot tub clean.

“With just one simple weekly treatment AquaFinesse Pool provides clear, pure water which is gentle, even on the most sensitive of skin.”

i FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

F AQUAFINESSE

( 01348 841116

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