WATER SYSTEM SAFETY
Oxidising biocide offers users ‘safer and easier’ route
Providing a clean water supply is a priority in hospital and clinical settings, but the handling and usage of associated water treatment chemicals on site can be challenging. Kieran Fleming, Business Development manager at Synthesis Water Solutions (Synthesis), outlines the main issues encountered when using such chemicals, and highlights how an innovative oxidising biocide can offer ‘a safer and easier-to-use’ alternative.
Maintaining consistently clean water supplies is of importance in many industries, but is especially crucial within medical settings, where already vulnerable patients are at risk of contracting Legionnaire’s Disease – if Legionella bacteria levels are not tightly controlled – among other waterborne diseases. Bacteria grow in adherent biofilm colonies, making removal even more difficult. Chlorine Dioxide is widely regarded to be the most effective water treatment chemical at penetrating and removing biofilm, killing bacteria, and preventing regrowth, but as it is traditionally applied in a gaseous form, there are challenges associated with its implementation. Chlorine Dioxide in gas form is highly volatile, cannot be stored, is explosive above 10% in the atmosphere, and is ignited by almost any form of energy. It requires on-site mixing, gasses off at elevated temperatures or turbulent systems, and, once mixed, has a short shelf life. These factors make it hazardous, time-consuming, and costly to use.
Maintaining consistently clean water supplies is of importance in many industries, but is especially crucial within medical settings.
‘Lack of innovation’ in treatment chemicals Chlorine Dioxide was discovered in 1811, and first commercially produced in 1940. It was initially used as a bleaching agent
for textiles, wood, pulp, and paper, before transforming the way that drinking water is disinfected. Since then, there has been a lack of innovation in water treatment chemicals. In 2020 the founders of Synthesis discovered a unique oxidising biocide formulation, which had been created by a leading research scientist, but had not been commercially leveraged. Upon securing the commercial licence to distribute the chemistry to new markets, the Synthesis team has undertaken extensive testing, regulatory compliance, and commercialisation, with the aim of transforming global water treatment applications. Klarolaks differentiates itself from
current alternative chemicals by offering Chlorine Dioxide in a safer, more stable, and easier-to-use liquid format, thus providing the most versatile oxidant in water treatment. Klarolaks oxidises cell membranes of microorganisms, rupturing the cell wall, and effectively killing bacteria. The broad spectrum of coverage, using
Legionella bacteria can spread quickly under the right conditions, particularly when water temperatures range from 20-45 °C.
56 Health Estate Journal June 2024
several modes of action, negates the need for alternative biocide programmes
AdobeStock / Svitlana
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