Why Do Most Big Swimming Pools Still Use Chlorine?

[maried]

I see that public swimming pools and big private swimming pools still use Chlorine. However, as you know there are many sanitization options today.

Do you think it is a budget issue?

[waterbear]

No, it is a health and safety issue. Chlorine is the ONLY EPA approved sanitizer that can be stabilized for loss against UV light (sunlight) which is necessary in an outdoor pool. Biguanide/peroxide systems are not approved for commercial use (and have many drawbacks in private pools as well.) Bromine cannot be stabilized against loss from sunlight and some of it's oxidation byproducts are more noxious than the ones from chlorine, making it's use in indoor pools possibly less desirable (this is an ongoing debate). What other options are available as primary residual sanitizers? Ozone and UV are NOT residual so they are only useful as adjunct sanitizers. Metal ions (Copper, Silver, and/or Zinc) do not kill most viruses and fecal bacteria and have very slow kiil times on the pathogens they do kill. They also stain pool surfaces and people (Green hair is caused by copper.Period, end of story!) They are really just algaecides ( and not the ones of first choice because of the staining and other problems associated with their use.). Enzymes, surfactants, and sphagnum moss are NOT sanitizers. Period. "Natural" pools rely on biological filtration (much like an aquarium) so they are NOT microbe free (and therefore most likely not pathogen free) so there is a real risk, particularly in warmer locals like Florida, Texas, Southern California, etc. Naegleria fowler, the 'brain eating amoeba" is a real danger in these warmer localities(and not the only water borne pathogen that can infect swimmers)!

Have I missed anything for you? Hope this answers your question.

I also find it interesting that the hidden link in your profile (the first set of info lines does not show up for some reason) goes to a blog that discusses biguanide as an alternative sanitizer in spas and also recommends bromine over chlorine for spas (which is fine since spas are covered and loss from sunlight is not a major issue, compared to pools).

[Dr. Spa]

Just another spammer

[waterbear]

yep