Pool Filtration
Health & Safety for the Public and our Environment
Swimming is one the best possible excises you can undertake,
as long as the water quality and atmospheric conditions in the
pool are safe. If you can enter a swimming pool building and
you can still smell the chlorine after 2 minutes, then leave the
building. If you go swimming and your eyes sting, then we
recommend that you leave the pool. The characteristic
swimming pool smell and sore eyes is not caused by chlorine
but by a chlorine reaction product called trichloramine.
In the European swimming pool industry, the design of the
systems are such that high levels of trichloramines and THM`s
can be produced and discharged into the atmosphere especially
if the pool is not designed and operated properly.
Reports published by the European Respiratory Society,
claim that children who go swimming experience the same lung damage as an adult smoker as measured by biochemical indicators. We also know that trichloramine strips off the mucous lining from your lungs and predispose children (and adults) to infection. Trichloramine can also initiated a sensitised reaction to dust, pollen or virtually any chemical which can then develop into asthma or respiratory problems later in life.
In addition to trichloramine, UVc disinfection and ozone are being promoted to the swimming pool industry, however both processes can increase the chlorine demand by up to 500% and results in the production of a secondary chemicals such as Cyanogen chloride and THM`s (trihalomethane) which are highly carcinogenic. The use of UVc and ozone should not be permitted in chlorinated systems.
Some of the problems in swimming pools are caused by the use of sand in the filters, UVc and Ozone, there are other factors such as water flow rates and operational procedures.
However Dryden Aqua were the first company to determine the mechanism for the production of trichloramine. Once you understand how something works, it then gives you the tools to solve the problem. At Dryden Aqua they have almost eliminated the production of trichloramine and reduced THM`s by 80%. They have advised the authorities around Europe of their findings and a copy of the report is available (click here) In Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, France and Spain, Dryden Aqua technology is being rapidly deployed.
Replacing the Sand in your filter - The choices
You could simply ignore scientific evidence and latest technology despite Dryden Aqua having completed a 1.2 million Euro Research Project in co-operation with the European Commission under the Life Environment initiative to solve these problems. For information click here and simply remove the original sand and replace it with fresh sand.
However the latest developments show sand is not the best substitute by a long way and over a considerable short time the benefits of using AFM (Activated Filter Medium)
Benefits
Why change the sand in your filters to AFM ? - Here are some reasons:
1. 30% to 80% better performance than sand - Clearer pool water without using flocculates
2. Self sterilizing does not become biofouled
3. Almost eliminate trichloramine and THM`s
4. Effective barrier against cryptosporidium
5. Reduce Legionella and MRSA levels
6. Excellent for iron and manganese removal
7. Lowers DOC ( dissolved organic carbon)
8. Arsenic removal when combined with NoPhos -
(Phosphate Removal Chemical)
9. Can remove some toxic prescribed substances
10. 70% saving of back-wash water
11. Reduce pumping costs ( lower delta P)
12. 100% environmentally sustainable
13. Filter performance is stable and predictable
If its not AFM its not Activated
AFM is an Activated Filter Media, manufactured and activated by Dryden Aqua under ISO procedures to have a high negative zeta potential and catalytic self sterilizing properties.
AFM is manufactured from reprocessed glass, but it is not a basic crushed glass filter media..
AFM is a highly processed product which has been tested by independent UK Government laboratories and the water industry and has been certified safe for all water filtration applications. Filter sand has by-passed the regulations because it was in use before the regulations were in place.However man made filtration products are not exempt, and AFM is the only filtration media that is in compliance with the regulations and is safe to use for applications such as drinking water, swimming pools and aquaria..
A basic crushed glass product does not have the surface active properties, there will be a hydraulic lenses effect which leads to channeling, there are also serious health implications for the public and contractors from using a basic crushed glass product. Dryden Aqua have completed a 1.2 million Euro Research Project in co-operation with the European Commission under the Life Environment initiative to solve these problems.
AFM is an internationally IPR protected product
