Pamphlets:
Tri-Folds
New Releases:
Newsletters:
Blog Articles:
Ditch the Chlorine!
37 Ways Ozonation Is the
Better Choice for Safe, Comfortable Swimming Environment
Have you fantasized about having a sparkling, refreshing
pool in your backyard? Imagine a truly refreshing oasis with crystal clear,
perfectly pure water right in your own backyard. Water so pure it beacons you to slowly lower
yourself into its delightful depths. What makes that pool water so pristine?
Ozone.
Chlorine
vs. Ozone
Ever wondered why your eyes turn red, or
you develop rashes or skin problems when swimming in a chlorinated pool? It’s
your body’s way of telling you you’re in a toxic environment!
As problems with chlorine systems continue
to emerge, most notably the production of carcinogenic (cancer-causing)
by-products called chloro-organic compounds or trihalomethanes (THMs), ozone is
becoming the sanitizer of choice. It not only eliminates the production of
these compounds, but it reduces or eliminates the maintenance problems
associated with these caustic gases.
What Is Ozone And Does It Really Make A Difference
In A Swimming Pool?
Also
called tri-atomic oxygen, ozone is a bluish, water-soluble gas denser than air
with a distinctive sweet smell that leaves no toxic byproducts, residues, and
is non-carcinogenic. Ozone is present in low concentrations throughout
the Earth's atmosphere (stratosphere) and makes up
only 0.6 ppm of the atmosphere. If natural ozone ceased to
exist, life on this planet would also cease to exist.
Most
people have heard about the hole in the “ozone layer” — a hole over Antarctica
in the six mile thick layer of tri-atomic oxygen in the stratosphere. Yet, the
lack of sunshine during the winter months over the poles explains some of this.
The production of ozone is dependent on the amount of the sun’s energy.
Ozone is as natural as
oxygen, naturally occurring and has been around since the beginning of time. This
highly reactive and unstable element consists of three oxygen atoms that form
when oxygen molecules are broken apart and then rejoined.
Ozone is the second
most powerful cleanser in the world. It is nature's way of purifying the air we
breathe. It’s the distinctive “electric” odor smelled during and after
thunderstorms. Bacteria, viruses and odors are quickly and effectively
destroyed by ozone. Then, when the killing is complete, ozone reverts back to
regular oxygen.
Ozone technology
for swimming pools has
been used for over 50 years in places like Germany France
The issue of ozone in the Olympic pools surfaced in 1996
at the Atlanta Olympics. A group of German swimmers actually refused to enter
one of the main event swimming pools. What could have persuaded this group of
highly disciplined athletes to stage this protest at one of the most
prestigious events in the world? As it turns out, Germans are well aware
of the health problems associated with a chlorine-only swimming pool. Even the
best maintained pools using chlorine as the main sanitizer produce toxic
byproducts that actually endanger human health. These toxic byproducts are
caused by the slow degradation of chlorine when it comes in contact with human
sweat, urine, dander, skin particles and other pollutants that enter your pool.
What
was done to fix the problem in Atlanta ?
Ozone was added to the pool filtration system and the Games went on. Four years
later, the Australians made sure their pool was sanitized with ozone. In fact,
the Sydney pool was praised for its
water clarity. World-class swimmers praise the Sydney
pool as one of the fastest pools in the world.
Since
that time other pools have been added including:
·
Fairhope,
Alabama has the first chemical-free public swimming pool in North America that
uses Ozone technology and avoids the
use of chlorine altogether.
·
The
United States Navy Dolphin program switched to Ozone. According to their
spokesperson, this switch has delivered the best water quality they have seen
out of any systems they tried.
·
Los
Angeles Dallas Montreal , Canada
·
Almost
all bottled water has been purified with ozone since 1982.
·
The
San Diego Zoo uses ozone instead of chlorine because it is so much healthier
for the animals.
·
Some
of the major pool operators in North America
including Disney's water parks use Ozone technology.
Part
of the popularity may be due to the fact that swimmers experience no red eye,
rashes or other skin irritants associated with chlorine-only pools.
Ozone
Production with Generators
The
"shelf life" of Ozone is very limited (~30 minutes in water depending
on temperature, pH, metal content of water and contamination of water).
Therefore, it must be manufactured on-site through Ozone Generators which
convert oxygen in the air into ozone.
In nature, ozone is
produced in the stratosphere by two methods: subjecting oxygen molecules to
either a high-voltage ionization process or to ultraviolet radiation.
UV radiation from the sun will break apart molecular
oxygen into individual oxygen atoms. These atoms quickly attach themselves to
the first molecule they encounter. When they join with an oxygen molecule,
tri-atomic oxygen (ozone) is created.
Another method ozone
is created is through lightning occurring naturally in the
stratosphere, which is a corona discharge method. The
electricity breaks apart the molecules and rejoins them in the same manner as
UV radiation. Next time you experience a thunderstorm, step outside afterwards
and sniff the air. That sweet smell is ozone.
The ozone produced by Ozone Generators for swimming pool water uses
the same two methods as Mother Nature.
In the UV method, air is passed over a UV bulb, and the
radiation creates nascent oxygen and then ozone. The molecules are then
introduced into the water via a one-way injection fitting, and immediately
begin to sanitize the water.
In the corona
discharge method, a pool ozonator creates a small lightning storm in an air
filled chamber. Tiny lightning bolts inside of the sealed unit create ozone
molecules, which are diffused into the water by an injection fitting or
manifold.
1.
Create
higher concentration of ozone
2.
More
cost-efficient
Because ozone generators require no chemical inputs, they
are very cost-effective in long-term applications.
Natural Pool Oxidizer
As
the second most powerful oxidizer on earth that can be safely used for water
treatment and purification, ozone is a very fast and effective disinfecting
agent that kills:
·
Germs
·
Bacteria
·
Viruses
·
Spores
·
Mold
·
Yeast
·
Mildew
·
Fungi
·
Amoeba
·
Cysts
by
ripping open the cell wall from the outside, causing the cell's contents to
fall apart. Ozonation even has the power to destroy solids and contaminants
like suntan oil, hairspray and makeup. This process is referred to as cell
lysing. Once ozone has done its job of oxidation, it reverts back to harmless
oxygen. This additional oxygen makes the water taste good, smell good and gives
it a sparkle. And, there are no toxic or hazardous byproducts.
Purification
and Sanitation.
While
traditional pool chemicals such as chlorine and bromine merely sanitize pool
water through a chemical reaction, ozone actually purifies the water through
the natural process. And, it does so nearly 3000 times faster than chlorine!
An interesting test was made near Nancy , France
Perhaps
that is why ozone has long been used to purify bottled water. And, why the APA
recently made ozone a requirement for drinking water systems in the USA
Benefits Of
Using An Ozone Filtration System In Your Swimming Pool
Remember
imaging your truly refreshing oasis? Here are a nine more perks to think about
as you sink down into the perfectly pure water created by your ozone filtration
system:
1.
No red,
irritated eyes.
2.
No
dry, itchy skin.
3.
No
adverse health or environmental effects
4.
Swimsuits don’t fade or degrade
5.
Bacteria,
viruses, and protozoa such as giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium organisms
associated with gastrointestinal illness are all killed.
6.
Prevents
airborne endotoxins which may cause breathing problems
7.
Ozone
is safe for the environment and your family
8.
Water tastes
better
9.
Creates
more oxygen for the environment.
And
the top 13 reasons why ozone is so powerful for cleaning the water in your
pool:
1.
Ozone
works 2000 times faster than chlorine.
2. Ozone is more than 100x stronger
than chlorine.
3.
Ozone
breaks down and reverts back to its natural state – Oxygen.
4.
Along
with chlorine, it meets government standards and improves performance.
5. Reduces traditional chemical (chlorine/bromine) use between 60%
- 90%.
6. Reduces purchasing, handling and storage of
unsafe chemicals.
7. Remove unpleasant chlorine / chloramine odors.
8. Oxygen rich water has a definite "clarity
and sparkle" that you may not have experienced before.
9. Ozone eliminates foaming “bathtub ring”
effect.
10. The water feels smooth.
11. No toxic byproducts created.
12.
Less ventilation
needed.
13. PH
neutral.
And
last, but not least, below are the top 15 ways an ozone filtration system
benefits your swimming pool:
1. Increased water quality decreases water consumption.
2. Eliminates clogged filters: ozone breaks down filter-clogging contaminants such as
grease and oils.
3. Eliminates stains. Ozone oxidizes
metals such as iron and manganese, as well as the bonds of many color-producing
contaminants like decaying leaves and grass. Once the bond is broken, the color
disappears.
4. Reduces / Eliminates maintenance
problems: such as rusting equipment and
premature wear due to chlorine gases.
5.
Automatic system.
6.
No chemicals needed to generate ozone.
7.
Systems are reliable compared to
other technologies.
8. Reduced costs over the life of the pool due to significantly
less on-going operating and maintenance expenses.
9.
Decreases
energy costs.
10.
Provides
better filtration.
11.
Needs
less pipe cleaning.
12.
Prevents
/ removes carbonate scaling.
13.
Prevents
greasy sediments on pool sides.
14. Extends life of your pool.
15. Aesthetic Benefits.
Ozone systems allow swimming pool owners
more time in their pool and less time cleaning . . . or waiting for the pool
chemicals to balance. Ozone filtration systems are the better choice for safe,
sparkling, clean, healthy and comfortable swimming environments.