Eco Smarte

[mom of boys]

Looking at the EcoSmarte system because my kids have incredibly sensitive skin. Does anybody have experience using this system and would you recommend it? the other system is an ionizing system where you put these egg looking things in the skimmer. That just seems too simple for it to work. Suggestions?

[chem geek]

Do you know for a fact that your children are sensitive to chlorine in a properly chlorinated pool that has a Free Chlorine (FC) level between 5% and 15% of the Cyanuric Acid (CYA) level? I would not assume that they will be sensitive to chlorine at low levels. Do they take showers? If so, then there is likely chlorine at much higher levels (0.5 to 2 ppm FC with no CYA) than found in pools (active chlorine levels roughly the same as with 0.1 ppm FC with no CYA) since there is no CYA in tap water, or there may be monochloramine -- if you don't have a whole house filter or a shower or bath water filter, then they are exposed to chlorine (or monochloramine).

You can read more about experiences with EcoSmarte here, here, here, here and here.

[polyvue]

Looking at the EcoSmarte system because my kids have incredibly sensitive skin. Does anybody have experience using this system and would you recommend it? the other system is an ionizing system where you put these egg looking things in the skimmer. That just seems too simple for it to work. Suggestions?

I can't possibly improve on the answer provided by chem geek, who has been writing about and exploring the chlorine / CYA relationship on these forums for a number of years. Here's another perspective, my (corroborative) take on the chlorine vs. sensitive skin issue that is based on my personal experience and opinion as much as it is an understanding of the science.

Exposure to chlorine and its disinfection byproducts shouldn't be a concern in an outdoor pool that has the right amount of chlorine in combination with stabilizer (CYA), since the active chlorine is stored (I like the term, embargoed) until it is needed to oxidize the contaminants that humans and the environment bring in to the pool. On the other hand, the halogens and other aerosol chemicals that bombard us in the shower combined with the myriad hazardous substances from manufacturing processes, many unstudied, that we regularly ingest or inhale may be making some of us sick.

Even people who suffer from dermatitis (skin irritation related to atopic, contact or neural eczema, allergies, and environmental causes), who can't abide scented laundry detergents, bleach additives, and perfumed soaps, should have no issues swimming in properly chlorinated pool water. I speak from experience here. While one never knows what's in a public pool or how it's being sanitized, you can control the chlorine/CYA in your own pool.

Mineral systems are problematic at the high levels needed to adequately sanitize water. Introducing copper or silver metal ions could exacerbate pre-existing allergies. [i'm not a physician; this is just my opinion and one reason why I would avoid them.] On firmer ground, I can say that metals in solution (i.e., in your pool) can also come out of solution. In these circumstances, you'll see metal stains appear on your pool walls or floor. In solution, they can stain hair.

But swimming is great exercise and helps the immune system. You may want to consider installation of a salt water chlorine generator (SWG). Many people, including kids, like the feel of salt water... the SWG would enable you to maintain slightly lower levels of chlorine in the pool, as compared to what is required when relying on liquid chlorine or tabs/puck chlorinators. Hope some of this helps in your decision.

[mom of boys]

Do you know for a fact that your children are sensitive to chlorine in a properly chlorinated pool that has a Free Chlorine (FC) level between 5% and 15% of the Cyanuric Acid (CYA) level? I would not assume that they will be sensitive to chlorine at low levels. Do they take showers? If so, then there is likely chlorine at much higher levels (0.5 to 2 ppm FC with no CYA) than found in pools (active chlorine levels roughly the same as with 0.1 ppm FC with no CYA) since there is no CYA in tap water, or there may be monochloramine -- if you don't have a whole house filter or a shower or bath water filter, then they are exposed to chlorine (or monochloramine).

You can read more about experiences with EcoSmarte here, here, here, here and here.

[mom of boys]

We have a whole house filtration system to reduce the chlorine levels. I'm not supercharged about EcoSmarte, but its an interesting concept as is AquaSmarter. We would definitely go salt water if we go with a chlorinating system. I am concerned about the multiplication of bacteria in the pool since with 3 boys and their friends, its going to be a pretty busy place. As for chlorine sensitivities, my kids have come out with rashes, overly irritated skin, one has eczema...just the usual stuff. they are all swimmers, and of course its worst in winter when they are indoors. Who regulates the "health" of swimming pools and their chemicals? the EPA?

[chem geek]

There is NO regulation of what you are required to put into your privately owned residential pool. You could swim in raw sewage as far as the government is concerned. The EPA regulates the labeling (FIFRA rules) of pesticide products, including algaecides and disinfectants you can buy. An EPA registration number only means that the product is a registered pesticide so can, for example, kill or inhibit algae growth. Such is the case with EcoSmarte. It does not mean it is a swimming pool disinfectant which has more stringent requirements described in EPA DIS/TSS-12. This latter standard is ONLY passed by products that use chlorine, bromine, Baquacil/biguanide/PHMB, and, for spas only at hot temperatures, Nature2 with MPS (non-chlorine shock) and these are the only products that can make claims of disinfection/sanitation against pathogens such as bacteria and viruses in swimming pools and spas.

Commercial/public pools are regulated locally by city, county or state. As far as I know, all require the aforementioned EPA DIS/TSS-12 approved disinfectants or similarly those systems that pass NSF Standard 50 for pool and spa equipment (some of which has to do with disinfection -- even copper or other metal ion systems still need at least 0.4 ppm chlorine or 0.8 ppm bromine).

Unfortunately, many commercial and public pools are poorly maintained or have a bather load that is too high relative to the systems they are using. Some of the outdoor pools let the CYA get too high which results in high monochloramine levels. Also, most indoor pools do not use CYA in the water which basically makes them over-chlorinated with 5-20 times the active chlorine (hypochlorous acid) concentration of a properly maintained pool with CYA and can result in higher levels of very volatile and irritating nitrogen trichloride. So I wouldn't judge the experiences your children had in such environments with what they will have in your own properly maintained pool where in a manually dosed pool you will keep an FC minimum that is around 7.5% of the CYA level which is technically the same amount of active chlorine as a pool with 0.06 ppm FC and no CYA. If you were to use a saltwater chlorine generator (SWG) pool, then you'd keep the FC at an FC minimum of 4.5% of the CYA level which is similar to a pool with 0.04 ppm FC and no CYA. These levels assume you are using chlorine alone to prevent algae growth. If you use a supplemental algaecide or phosphate remover at extra cost, then you can use even lower chlorine levels.

[wsommariva]

Well, I have the CL Free system which is similiar. It works as advertised. This my third full year with it. My wife loves it, like swimming in bottled water - really.

The downside for me as the one who maintains the pool is the learning curve. I never had a pool before, actually didn't want a pool, but.........I had to learn the basics about pool water balancing, etc etc. Luckilly CL free support is excellent.

A CL pool seems to be the easiest way to go. But if you can't tolerate any CL, the alternative works.

[rahulpilani]

Hi.

I want to tell you that you can prefer this product, it's a good product and very Eco friendly.I am also using this product and i am fully satisfied with this product. So i hope you will also get satisfied with that. Thanks

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