Re: Safe swimming with elevated chlorine
Originally Posted by
PoolDoc
Waterbear, this winter ask me for some of the bromine literature I have.
I, for one, am not convinced that bromine has any real value for either pools or spas. And, I'm almost convinced that the use of BCDMH or any other source of bromine bound to dimethyl hydantoin should be strongly discouraged.
Ben, on this I agree with you 100%. I have never understood the need for bromine tablets in a floater since they are not effective unless the bromine bank is first established with sodium bromine and converted to hypobromous acid with an oxidizer such as chlorine. My feeling is that they are totally unnecessary since bromine sanitation can be carried out with only the sodium bromide and oxidizer.
I very strongly suspect that bromine has gained its positive reputation purely based on the absence of information. My impression is that chlorine and its compounds are far better known and understood than are bromine and its compounds. It's also my impression that bromates, which form under many conditions if bromine is used in pools or appears in source water, is considered a more serious 'bad actor' than are many of the chlorine products.
I have read some vague things alone these lines but have not been able to find out very much info at all.
Regarding bromamines, I've never been able to find *any* information on what sort of bromamines appear in pools and spas, nor have I ever found a study that substantiates the oft-repeated pool industry maxim that "bromamines, unlike chloramines are good sanitizers".
Neither have I.
It's worth noting, that with the demise of Hydrotech (purchased by BioLab), and the death of Jock Hamilton (founder of United Chemicals), pro-bromine pool industry press seems to have diminished to a bare trickle. It makes me wonder if ANYONE, except those trying to sell it, ever thought it was a good idea.
Color me skeptical!
Bromine's often quoted advantage is that it is active over a wider pH range (up to 8.0) and is more stable at higher temperatures but I have not been able to find any actual info to support this. Also bromine is a known sensitizer and reactions to bromine santized pools and spas is not uncommen. It is intersting that what I have read (in a CPO training manual) on the other halogens and why they are not applicable to pool sanitation are that flourine is too expensive although it would be extremely effective (although I personally believe it would also be very toxic) and that iodine in concentrations high enough to sanitize would color the water and would still need chorine present as an oxidizer. I have not been able to find any info to either prove or refute these statements. It makes me wonder where the 'experts' get this information from!
Ben
Color me skeptical too!
Retired pool store and commercial pool maintenance guy.
Bookmarks