Surex Eco Blog

With increasing concerns covering the use of Halogens (Chlorine, Bromine & Fluoride) being applied in both domestic & commercial pool & spas more attention is slowly being paid to ‘Non Chlorine’ donors.

Surex International have been leaders in the use of ‘new age’ per-oxygen chemistry from the late 1980’s and have been instrumental in their development in both granular and tablet form which have been proven to be as effective as Chlorine and generally less expensive.

Surex 002 Oxy-sure™ and Surex 002 Oxy-pure™ are both inorganic materials, safe to use, effective with both ecological and environmental qualities beneficial to asthmatics, dermatitis and other allergy suffers.

Equally the compounds are far less aggressive than Chlorine based materials, compatible and far more comfortable to bathe in.

Surex 002 has certain chemical control parameters that should be noted.

Chlorine (Cl2)

Range of compound affectivity 7.4 – 7.8 pH. If over 8 mg/lt/ppm you will loose 25% of your donor.

Bromine (Br)

Range of compound affectivity 5 to 9 pH. If over 9 mg/lt/ppm you will loose 25% of your donor.

(Remember Bromine is 50% less effective than Chlorine.)

Surex 002

Range of compound affectivity 2 to 13.5 pH with no loss of oxidising potential.

The versatility of Surex 002

The material is odourless in both water and the atmosphere.

The material will not bleach or burn the grass.

The material can be recycled – Chlorine, Bromine & Fluoride cannot.

The water ways of the UK are being polluted by Halogens when dumped down the drain.

They affect local water treatment plants, riverbeds, reed beds, fishery organisations – they add more grief to further effluent by some of the 20 odd water authorities monitored by Water UK where some have recorded heavy penalties for the abuse of their actions.

Surex 002 will not effect the Ecology or the Environment when put ‘down the drain’.

Surex International have recycled Surex 002 some 2 to 3 times.

Surex 002 will not bleach bathing costumes, swimmers will not experience ‘split ends’ to their hair.

Surex 002 has little if any effect on the skin, eyes and lungs.

The material is far, far less aggressive on pool and spa equipment generally.

With the application of Surex 002 in hard water areas very little if any pool acid (Sodium Bisulphate) is used with the application of Surex 002 into pool and spa waters, this saves on chemical additive costs.

You can swim within two hours.

Chlorine can be used in conjunction with Surex 002 as a ‘shock’ dose but you cannot swim comfortably for a minimum of 1 to 2 days.

Surex International use Surex 002 to ‘burn’ out combine chlorine levels if out of line in leisure clubs, schools etc allowing swimmers to swim comfortably within 1 to 2 hours with out discomfort.

Surex International use Surex 002 in canine convalescence indoor pools, greyhound training pools & equestrian exercise pools, it can be applied to certain fish and aquatic animal applications.

Surex 002 can be used in hydrotherapy & in jetted and whirl pool house hold baths.

Surex 002 versatility is extended with its support as a back up to salt water generators, ionic purifiers, ozone generators in spas and pools, ultra violet (UV) units, Bromine and Chlorine tablets feeders.

Surex 002 is also used with Redox controllers where Surex International have been using its own in house Chemtrol System™ for some 15 years in both domestic and commercially run pools.

Surex International have formulated its own Ecological and Environmentally additive which is Sure 002 Plus™ which can be added to sand filters to slowly buffer any low Total Alkalinity (T.A.) problems in acid conditions over a period of 2 to 3 months to support the Surex 002 programme.

Surex are leaders in the manufacture & supply of water treatment chemicals & products covering the ecology which include gel block technology such as LeBloc™ that incorporates a phosphate remover,

TLC ™ cleaning Paste that covers multiple applications, as does Aquastik™ and our most versatile product – The Water Wizard™ magnetic conditioner – a rare earth non electrical unit that lasts forever.

Because Surex International’s experience in chemical applications we suggest that spa owners try the use of Surex Sauna Silk, a non oil based Eucalyptus essence, which added to spa waters at a low level volume clears bronchial tracts to the lungs.

It is compatible with Surex 002 it has no effect on the environment, non hazardous and can create a ‘state of karma’.

Another relief for asthmatics.

You can’t do that with Chlorine.

Whilst covering the issue of per-oxygen’s it should be noted that Hydrogen Peroxide which is inorganic is sold into the pool & spa industry & approved by BISTHA is a class 5.1 oxidising material.

Under present EEC (BPD) Hydrogen Peroxide should not exceed 100 volume (30%) whilst at 135 volume (35%) it is dangerous to handle and a danger if in contact with the eyes.

Non Chlorine chemical additives.

It should be noted that there are alternative chemical systems on the market that are classed as Non Chlorine.

Surex International have over the years seen them come & seen them go therefore respectfully suggest that pool & spa owners check out their validity before purchasing.

Alternative compounds.

Copper Sulphate crystals & liquid.

Toxic to humans, animals & fish.

Copper Sulphate Pentahydrate liquid (CUSo4 5H20)

Classed as poisonous.

Even the above still require a level of Chlorine in their makeup to be a safe guard.

Incidentally veterinary canine users advise the use of Chlorine in indoor doggy convalescence ‘pools’. Dogs have lungs and can take in Trihalomethanes (THMS) apart from irritating their eyes and affecting their coats.

Trihalomethanes are toxic.

Swimmers can take THMS in both indoor & outdoor pools through their skin.

Again on technical academic interest Surex 002 Oxy-Sure™ & Surex 002 Oxy-Pure™ will within the Biocidal Directive coverage will pass 7 out of 7 Chlorine only achieves only 3½ – 4 passes.

Asthmatics are affected by Chlorine with indoor applications particularly life guards, plant operators in badly ventilated indoor areas.

The first ½ metre over the pool surface area cannot be suitably vented causes problems to indoor bathers particularly with pre-natal mother and unborn child swimmers as advocated by the government.

Nitrogen Trichloride is difficult to control and if not suitably controlled Trihalomethanes (THMS) will appear.

Surex 002 cannot produce Trihalomethanes or the associated problems of Nitrogen Trichloride.

Further technical papers are freely available see website www.surex.co.uk or email info@surex.co.uk

The oldest Pool & Spa chemical companies within the EEC

The Water Wizards™

Chlorine has been linked to childhood asthma in a new study published in Ireland. the research was carried out by Cork Maternity Hospital  and involved a group of 121 schoolboys aged six to 12 years from Cork City.

More than a quarter of the boys has experienced wheezing and one in 10 had the problem in the previous 12 months.

Printed by the Pool & Spa Industry 2009

Article by Jill Palmer – Medical Correspondant – Daily Mirror

Chlorine in swimming pools could be causing a dramatic rise in childhood asthma, claims new research.

Scientists found that children who swim often have lung damage similiar to smokers.

The problem is caused by by-products of chlorine, trichloramine or nitrogen trichloride.

They are powerful irritants which are easily inhaled and produced when chlorine reacts with organic matter such as urine or sweat.

Nearly two million children suffer from asthma, one in seven and the numbers are rising annually.

The research team studied 226 healthy youngsters who have swum weekly or fortnightly since early childhood.

Lung proteins linked with cell damage were measured in their blood. Samples from 16 children and 13 adults before and after a session in an indoor pool were analysed to see how quickly trichloramine took effect.

Researchers also assessed the prevalence of asthma using data from 2,000 youngsters.

The results showed that swimming in a pool regularly was consistently and significantly associated with the destruction of the cellular barriers protecting the deep lung.

Even sitting by the pool without swimming led to significantly higher marker proteins.

Dr Alfred Barnard, who led the research at the Catholic University of Louvain in Brussels, said “Chlorinated pools might explain the rise in the diagnosis of childhood asthma.”

“Swimmers are mainly exposed to chlorine compounds when inhaling air just above the waters surface”

“Chlorine disinfectants can represent a health hazard for swimming, especially for young children who attend most frequently”

Professor Martyn Partidge of the National Asthma Campaign said yesterday “This is an interesting study”

Exposure of any child to a chemical which may damage airways is a concern and obviously needs further investigation.”

“But its unlikely that swimming – at least by itself – could be the cause for the increase in Asthma”

Article by Jo Macfarlane – Medical Correspondant – The Times

Pregnant women living in areas where tap water is heavily disinfected with chlorine nearly double the risk of having children with heart problems, a cleft palate or major brain defects, a new study found.

Scientists say expectant mothers can expose themselves to the higher risk by drinking the water, taking a bath or shower, or even by standing close to a boiling kettle.

The dangers comes from chemical by products in chlorinated water known as Trihalomethanes, or THMs, which can be absorbed through the skin. They can then pass into the womb.

THMs form because of a chemical reaction between chlorine and natural substances in the water.

They exist in mains water across Britain – but are highest in areas where more chlorine is added because the water quality is poor.

Earlier studies linked chlorine water to an increased risk of still birth, miscarriage, birth defects and bladder cancer. But this is the frst time that the risk has been narrowed down to specific birth defects.

Although a major study in 2007 by Imperial College, London, into births defects and THM levels in Britain uncovererd ‘little evidence’ of a link, the new research appears to contradict its findings.

A research team led by Professor Jouni Jaakkola of the University of Birmingham analysed the birth registry details of nearly 400,000 babies born in Taiwan between 2001 and 2003.  Levels of Chlorine found in water there are similiar to those found in the UK.

Scientists compared the number of birth defects recorded by doctors to the leel of THMs in the drinking water in different areas.

The proportions of certain anencephalus, usually found in 0.01 per cent of births, rose to 0.17 per cent in high THM areas. Hole in the heart defects also nearly doubled from 0.015 per cent to 0.024 per cent. The number of cleft palates rose from 0.029 per cent to 0045 per cent in high THM areas.

Overall, the risks of having chidlren with these three defects increased by between 50 per cent and 100 per cent. there was also a slightly raised risk of urinary tract defects and downs syndrome.

The study appears in Environmental Health Journal.

The number of defects could be much higher as some are not detected until later in childhood.

THM levels across Britain vary widely even within one water company area. They range from 92 micrograms per litre in south Stafforidshire to just five in Hartlepool.  Most areas have levels way above the high range in the Taiwan study. High levels were recorded in South West England, Yorkshire and North East Essex.

Prof Jaakkola said THMs should be cut because the biologial reasons for the defects were unknown.

He said “Our findings dont just add to the evidence that Chlorination may cause birth defects but suggest that exposure to chlorination may cause birth defects but suggest that exposure to chlorination by products may be responsible for some specific and common defects.

Swimming Pool & Spa domestic water disinfection using Halogens.

Haloforms cover a range of chemicals such as Chlorine, Bromine and Flouride amongst others, that will react with substances that naturally occur in Swimming Pool & Spa bathing waters that with the right pre cursors produce Trihalomethanes (thms) & Organo Halides.

These substances are produced when one or more of the Hydrogen Atoms in the Hydrocarbon sustituted by either Chlorine or Bromine.

Almost without eception all Haloforms are:

1. Carcinogenic – Cancer Forming

2. Mutagenic – Capable of causing mutations in humans

3. Teratongenic – Capable of causing malformations in newly born children.

Trihalomethanes are absorbed in outdoor bathing applications both through the skin & through the skin and respiratory system in indoor applications.

In the right conditions they are basically poisonous – therefore ‘TOXIC”

They are the next ‘ASBESTOSIS’

Surex OO2 Oxysure & Surex OO2 Oxypure are not afected or associated chemically or biologically with this imposing salient under estimated deliberation.

These comments are purely for future apprectiation and understanding.

Derek Acca

www.surex.co.uk

The Use of Floating Dispensers is not our way of Health and Safety coverage.  

Covering the responsibility of ecological and environmental control the whole world should be made to understand that both chlorine and bromine and infact all Halogens cannot be recycled and they should not be dumped down the drain because they cause ‘Big Grief’ in water reclamiation in commerical operation plants.

They cause problems in river beds, eco systems in lakes and ponds; chlorine is disipated into the atmoshere from UV exposure.

Chlorine is affecting the ozone layer which is weakening year by year.

Surex Oxysure & Surex Oxypure are based on peroxygen technology. They are quick dissolving, they cannot mess up relative water lines dumped down the drain and affect the ecology and environment.

They can be recycled and have no smell in both spas and pools.