SAFER TO SWIM IN - KILLS MICROORGANISMS BETTER

Water that has been treated with MIOX is safer to swim in because the mixed oxidants do a much better job of inactivating microorganisms (potentially disease-causing bugs) than does conventional chlorine. While some microorganisms are easy to kill, others are more resistant. Fecal coliforms and viruses are typically easy to kill, but other microorgansims may not be affected by chlorine. An organism that has caused significant problems in the United States and Canada is Cryptosporidium. In 1993, Cryptosporidium entered the water supply in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and 400,000 people got Cryptosporidiosis.

Deaths of 100 people were attributed to this outbreak. There have also been outbreaks in Las Vegas, Nevada, and several locations in Canada. The potential for Cryptosporidium in pools is quite common, and one affected swimmer can spread the disease to all others in the pool. Because Cryptosporidium is not killed by chlorine, the conventional method for removing it is through micro-filtration. However, most swimming pools are not designed, or cannot afford, to treat via micro-filtration. In tests conducted at the University of North Carolina and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, MIOX has been shown to be 99.9% effective in eliminating Cryptosporidium, which shares similar characteristics with Giardia. Because of its significant oxidant strength, MIOX offers a much greater margin of safety for the public.

SAFETY FOR THE PUBLIC

MIOX uses salt to generate a dilute brine solution that is converted to a group of mixed oxidants in an electrolytic cell. The mixed oxidant process eliminates safety hazards associated with the use of chlorine gas, sodium hypochlorite (bleach), and calcium hypochlorite (dry form of chlorine). Using salt as a feed stock, MIOX technology eliminates the need for any hazardous materials and does not generate any hazardous materials in the process. MIOX offers the potential to eliminate all of the safety hazards to the public associated with the transportation, storage, and use of conventional methods of water sanitation.

SAFETY FOR THE OPERATOR

Using conventional chlorination technology, pool and spa operators are exposed to a variety of safety hazards. First, chlorine gas is a poison that can kill when a person is exposed even to low doses. Caustic is another hazardous substance that is generally not necessary with MIOX. The pH of the MIOX solution can be balanced to control the pH of the pool water. All of these safety elements add costs to the price of providing disinfected water. The pool is also exposed to insurance costs and the liability of medical and legal costs in the event of an accident. Mixed oxidants from the MIOX unit are produced in a liquid form that is classified as a non-hazardous material, thus preempting the need for safety training and equipment, and eliminating the potential for exposure to hazardous gas.

An alternative method of chlorine disinfection has been the use of sodium hypochlorite (bleach). Hypochlorite is typically sold at concentrations of 10 to 15 percent strength, or 100,000 to 150,000 ppm. This solution is dilluted to a weaker strength and then injected into the water stream using a chemical feed pump, or venturi injection system. The dilution procedure requires mixing the chlorine bleach with water. Operators are exposed to the safety hazards associated with handling chlorine bleach in these operations. In addition to chlorine fumes from the liquid, the liquid will cause a burn when it comes in contact with the skin or eyes. The strong oxidant nature of hypochlorite bleach also creates high levels of maintenance for the equipment. In addition, chlorine bleach degrades in oxidant value (weakens) as time goes on. This requires the operator to adjust chemical feed rates, which generally causes increased exposure to chemicals. Since MIOX solution is already produced at a much more dilute concentration of 2,000 ppm, no dilution is required before injection. This concentration is safe enough for operators to run their hands through without damage to the skin, yet it is more effective than chlorine. In addition, the mixed oxidants are produced as needed, so there is no concern that they will degrade over time. One other factor to consider with bleach is the necessity for pH adjustment. Since bleach raises the pH of the water, hydrochloric acid (another hazardous substance) is required to lower the pH. Again, hydrochloric acid is generally unnecessary with MIOX.

The third conventional method of using chlorine is the use of calcium hypochlorite. This is the dry form of chlorine. While the initial capital equipment cost to use calcium hypochlorite is inexpensive, the costs of chemicals makes this the most expensive option for chlorination in the long run. Calcium hypochlorite must be stored in a dry location and any exposure to petrochemical products (hydrocarbons such as gas, diesel, oil, or grease) will cause a spontanious reaction leading to a fire. Calcium Hypochlorite is classified as a Class Three (most dangerous rating) oxidizer by the National Fire Prevention (NFPA). Like bleach, it also raises the pH of the water, requiring the use of hydrochloric acid to lower it again, which is not a necessity with MIOX. Again, MIOX technology solves all of the safety issues of interest to pool operators, as well as organizations such as the fire department that are interested in eliminating enviromental hazards.

MIOX General Information