A Safer Chlorine Alternative for Spas and Hot Tubs
| Keeping your Spa Sanitary is Important |
| Owning a hot tub spa is indeed one of life’s great pleasures. And as every spa enthusiast knows, keeping the water clean and sanitary is of utmost importance. To keep your spa water clear and free of bacteria and other harmful microbes you probably use chlorine or bromine sanitizers. (Bromine shares most of chlorine’s attributes). But are you aware of the dangers posed by these harsh chemicals? The very properties which make chlorine and bromine effective sanitizers, can also pose health risks to humans. |
| Health Risks of Chlorine and Bromine |
| Several studies have reported that chlorinated water is a skin irritant and can be associated with skin rashes or eczema. We all know it can cause red eyes. Chlorinated water can destroy polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E in the body while generating toxins capable of free radical damage due to oxidation. This might explain why diet supplements with essential fatty acids and antioxidants like vitamin E helps so many cases of eczema and dry skin. |
| Chlorinated water destroys much of the intestinal flora, the friendly bacteria that help in the digestion of food and which protect the body from harmful pathogens. These bacteria are also responsible for the manufacture of several important vitamins like vitamin B12 and vitamin K. It is not uncommon for chronic digestive disorders as well as chronic skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, seborrhea and eczema to clear up or be significantly improved by switching to un-chlorinated drinking water and supplementing the diet with lactobacillus or acidophilus. |
| Chlorinated water contains chemical compounds called trihalomethanes which are carcinogens resulting from the combination of chlorine with organic compounds in water. These chemicals, also known as organo-chlorides, do not degrade very well and are generally stored in the fatty tissues of the body (breast, other fatty areas, mother’s milk, blood and semen). Organo-chlorides can cause mutations by altering DNA, suppress immune function and interfere with the natural controls of cell growth. |
| Chlorine has been documented to aggravate asthma, especially in those children who make frequent use of chlorinated swimming pools and spas. Several studies also link chlorine and chlorinated by-products to a greater incidence of bladder, breast and bowel cancer as well as malignant melanoma. One study even links the use of chlorinated tap water to congenital cardiac anomalies. |
| Cleanwater Blue is the Safe Alternative |
| So what is a hot tub lover to do in order to maintain clean, healthy water, when the most common sanitizers pose such risks? The Spa Depot may have the answer with their new, EPA-registered product: Cleanwater Blue. A unique bactericide and algaecide, Cleanwater Blue is a mineral product which kills bacteria and algae by introducing copper ions into the water. These ions, delivered by way of its proprietary carrier molecule: CW-286, disrupt the cell structure and chemical makeup of microorganisms, eliminating them in a safe way. Since ancient times, drinking water vessels were often made of copper to help keep it fresh. And while crossing the plains, American settlers put copper pennies in their water barrels to inhibit stagnation, although no one really understood why or how it worked at the time. Cleanwater Blue harnesses advanced copper-ion technology in a new way– keeping your water clear, fresh and healthy for pennies a day and with less maintenance than chlorine or bromine. When bacteria or algae contact potentiated Cleanwater Blue CW-286 molecules, copper ions are released which they quickly absorb. This destroys microbes and prevents them from reproducing. |
| No More Red Eyes, Irritated Skin, or Harsh Odors |
| Cleanwater Blue has another benefit. In addition to being an excellent bactericide, it is also odorless in hot tub water and eliminates algae, so there is no need to buy a separate algaecide. The liquid is concentrated, so it’s very inexpensive to use. It is easy to monitor the copper ion level using the companion copper 3-way Test Strips to assure proper sanitation. Cleanwater Blue will not dry or irritate skin, cause eye redness, or fade bathing suits. Unlike bromine or chlorine, this product will not degrade spa cover vinyl or floating thermal blankets, nor will it degrade liners in soft spas, or cause discoloration of jewelry. Spa water properly treated with Cleanwater Blue is safe to people and pets, since the copper level in your hot tub is actually lower than the standard set by the EPA for drinking water. Depending upon your spa size and use pattern, one bottle can last up to 6 months. Very low maintenance effort is required because the spa water requires testing and adjustment just twice a month, not weekly as with chlorine or bromine. |
Posted: December 11th, 2007 under Spa Chemicals.
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