January 23 , 2008

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Jan ‘08 Issue of RWQ Newsletter Explains Chlorine/Bromine Limits Set by the U.S. EPA, Hot Water Rashes, Testing Problems

The third issue of Recreational Water Quality (RWQ) newsletter includes three technical articles of interest to state and local public health officials. Articles in this issue explain why states and the U.S. EPA sometimes are out of sync on chlorine and bromine limits in pools; testing interferences from non-chlorine shocks; and a review of rashes in treated water venues and best practices to avoid them. Click here to learn more about these topics in the latest issue.

The lead article in the January issue of RWQ, APSP’s new digital newsletter for public health officials, explains how and why the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets federal limits for sanitizer use in pools and spas and explores why these limits challenge local and state health officials and public pool operators. Learn about FIFRA, the national law that empowers EPA to set national policy and to mandate appropriate use concentrations on pool/spa sanitizers.

The article on testing problems discusses non-chlorine shocks (e.g., monopersulfate), which are useful in the management of chloramines in pools and spas. But non-chlorine shocks create a problem when testing pools because they give a false positive for chloramines. By using a reagent, operators and inspectors can accurately test for free and combined chlorine residuals.

Rashes are a common complaint with both pool and spa users. Rashes may be caused by chemicals in the water or by a bacterial infection This article explains the differences between the two sources of rashes, questions that operators and inspectors should ask during an investigation involving hot tubs, and the key steps in combating rashes beginning with maintaining the sanitizer residual, pH, and alkalinity, and for spas, regular water replacement.
Recreational Water Quality is written by members of APSP’s Recreational Water Quality Committee. Each issue of Recreational Water Quality is available for general viewing on the APSP website at http://apsp.org/156/index.aspx.