Posted by admin on December 27, 2019 · Leave a Comment
The Keystone Clean Water Team with assistance from B.F. Environmental Consultants, Inc and the Water Research Center have developed and updated 2 phone apps. The apps work on both the Android and the Apple iphone platform. Know Your H2O? is an educational tool that can help you diagnose the problem with your water. This app will lead you through a series of questions to pinpoint the issues with your water. Unlike other apps that just remind you to drink water, these apps actually help to diagnose a water quality problem and/or provide insight into water quality contaminants may be a concern based on a variety of activities.
Know Your H2O
Know Your H2O? is an educational tool that can help you diagnose the problem with your water. This app will lead you through a series of questions to pinpoint the issues with your water. You can reach your diagnosis through describing symptoms that are effecting your home, your health, or the water itself. Once you receive your diagnosis result(s), the app is designed to educate you by displaying full lists of symptoms, causes, and solutions, as well as links to other educational sources. The app will then show you various testing kit options specifically designed to treat those results. If the problem is more extensive and in depth testing is required, Know Your H2O? will also connect you with featured local professionals. What’s in YOUR Water?
Recommendation: Wells and Septic Systems Paperback
This app was replaced by a new drinking water diagnostic tool.
PA Baseline Testing
The PA Baseline Testing mobile app is an educational tool for residents of Pennsylvania who are impacted by Oil & Gas Development, Subsurface Coal Development, and other common environmental hazards. By selecting which factor impacts your region, you can discover various Recommendations and Tiers of water testing that can help bring you piece of mind about the safety of your drinking water. Got Data? You can also submit your own testing data and results to help continue to build the PA Clean Water Team’s database.
To learn more go to Download the Free Drinking Water Quality Mobile Apps
Pennsylvania Baseline Water Testing Kit Options –
Baseline Water Testing Kits
Filed under city water testing, Clean Water Act, Community Health, environmental education, Environmental Hazards, Environmental Health, Groundwater, Water, Water Testing, Well, Well water testing · Tagged with benefits of drinking water, contaminated drinking water, contaminated water mobile app, dihydrogen monoxide, drinking water, drinking water apps, drinking water quality, H20, H2O, Know Your H20?, mobile apps, water, water professional tools
Posted by Brian on October 4, 2019 · Leave a Comment
Lead in Your Drinking Water
Prepared by Guest Author – Samantha Oram
Despite measures taken by the EPA and many states, lead poisoning is still a serious concern. Lead can be found in old water taps as well as interior and exterior piping. As water sits in these pipes, the water can react with the piping and based on a combination of corrosion or physical dislodging of chemical coatings the lead and metal content of the water can increase. Drinking water high in lead can contribute to lead poisoning, but most sources of lead in the blood are related to the exposure to lead in paint, dust, soil, and consumer products that contain lead. Individuals at most risk to lead include those living in older homes that have not been remodeled, individuals in mining or smelting towns and communities, young children, pregnant women, and the elderly. If your tap water has lead levels exceeding 15 ppb (0.015 ppb), you should take action immediately to minimize your exposure and if your our on a private well or private source if the level is above 5 ppb (0.005 mg/L) you should act.
Lead in Home (Dust, Paint, and Soil Test Kit)
Lead in Drinking Water Test Kit is designed to test for lead in water and corrosion related issues. This test is compatible with municipal water and private water systems. If you live in a home with older pipes or frequently drink from a water fountain where lead piping could be used, you should check the lead levels. This fast acting Lead in Drinking Water Test Kit includes all the instructions and supplies you need to quickly test your drinking water for the presence of lead. In only 10 minutes, the Lead in Drinking Water Test will let you know if there are harmful elements in your water.
This simple test kit can easily be used in your home, classroom, office and anywhere else where you would need to test water quality. Quickly and accurately test well water, city/municipal water, tap water, residential drinking water, groundwater, and spring water sources. The results are fast and easy to read by following along with the included color chart and instruction manual.
Learn More – Corrosive Water and Lead
Lead and Corrosion Testing of Your Drinking Water – It is important to Know Your H20 !
Suggested Reading:
Filed under Children's Health, Contaminated water, Environmental Hazards, Environmental Health, Water Testing, Well water testing · Tagged with drinking water, drinking water pesticide, dust, flint water lead, lead soil, lead water testing, paint
Posted by Brian on April 29, 2019 · Leave a Comment
Residential AdvanTex® Design
Wed., May 1st, 9-10am Pacific Time
AdvanTex® Treatment Systems are the ideal onsite solution for residential wastewater treatment needs because they work well in a variety of locations and situations. In this webinar, we’ll review the application, design, and benefits of AdvanTex for residential properties.
Orenco Sewer™ Troubleshooting
Thu., May 2nd, 9-10am Pacific Time
Correctly diagnosing a problem is the first step to getting it fixed. In this webinar, we’ll discuss the basics of troubleshooting an effluent sewer collection system, including how to identify problems with specific components by using the Orenco STEP System Troubleshooting Chart and the Orenco Control Panel Troubleshooting Chart. These tools can save you both time and money when dealing with effluent sewer system repairs.
[amazon_link asins=’0936070404,0830621369′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’webdespro-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’dcf8fba9-dc31-4ed7-b87b-258d59e2f8ab’]
Rural Customers – Make Sure to Get Your Drinking Water Tested
other Training Programs for Professionals
Course – Onlot Sewage Treatment Systems – Based on EPA Guidelines
Course – Onlot Sewage Management
Filed under Clean Water Act, Community Health, Environmental Hazards, Environmental Health, onlot wastewater, septic system, wastewater · Tagged with AdvanTex, aerobic treatment, CEU, continuing education, efflent management, engineers, onlot sewage management, onlot wastewater, Oregan, Orenco wastewater, PDH, septic system, sewage management, webinars
Posted by Brian on April 29, 2019 · Leave a Comment
Next Thursday, May 2, the Upper Delaware River Basin Citizens or UDRBC will be holding a seminar in Lookout, Pennsylvania to talk landowner rights and more.
Be there! The UDRBC, lead by Ned Lang and a large group of Upper Delaware River citizens will be conducting an in-depth discussion of natural gas exploration and development. The Upper Delaware River Basin Citizens (‘UDRBC’) has announced the topic of its Spring Seminar scheduled for Thursday, May2, 2019 at the Lookout Fire Hall, 2625 Hancock Highway, Equinunk, Pennsylvania.
The seminar will be held from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM, with lunch provided and will feature numerous speakers. Registration is online at https://udrbc.com under “EVENTS” and space is limited.
UDRBC Seminar Speakers- May 2, 2019
Major speakers will include:
BRIAN ORAM: Brian is a Professional Geologist and Soil Scientist for B.F Environmental Consultants. He is also a Private Well Owner Educator at PACleanwater and Managing the Keystone Clean Water Team. Water quality education is both and expertise with this entertaining expert. He knows Northeastern Pennsylvania water and geology like no one else.Brian’s specialties include well migration issues, natural gas, hydrogeology, carbon sequestering, brine water treatment and water reuse. He will address the relationship between natural gas development and water quality.
During this presentation, we will discuss water quality, groundwater, environmental issues with natural gas development, and activities that landowners/royalty owners can do to protect themselves, their community, and the environment. We will announce the free phone App that is available from the Keystone Clean Water Team on Baseline Water Testing and encourage citizens to participate in a citizen based groundwater assessment using their baseline data. (Slide Presentation – pdf version baselinetestingwaynecounty2019slide )
NOTE: Please consider supporting the Keystone Clean Water Team (501C3) in PA – some of our PSAs.
PAT HENDERSON: Pat has over 20 years experience in legislative and executive branches of government, and with leading nationally-recognized energy advocacy trade organizations. Pat is currently employed at the Marcellus Shale Foundation. He is an expert on Marcellus Shale development policy and knows government inside and outside. Pat will address the latest shale gas issues from the perspectives of both industry and policymakers.
JEFF BELARDI: Attorney Jeffrey Belardi practices out of Scranton, PA and has been licensed for 25 years. He attended Widener University and handles cases in Corporate & Incorporation, Criminal Defense, State, Local And Municipal Law, Litigation. Jeff is also one of three attorneys handling the Wayne Land and Mineral Group lawsuit against the DRBC and in defense of landowner rights.
It is important to Learn, Diagnose, and Test. Public outreach is part of the Mission of the Keystone Clean Water Team. To learn more about this Organization and support their efforts, please go to http://www.pacleanwater.org
Other Items:
- Training Programs:
Modern Shale Gas Development
Mud Logging Sensors
Shale Gas and the Global Market
Introduction to Groundwater Contamination
Groundwater Hydrology
Petrochemical Training for Engineers
- Learn about the facts and not the fear – Scare Pollution (must read):
- A book on climate and climate change – a must read:
Please Get Your Water Tested – At a minimum, an comprehensive Informational Water Quality Test to at least determine your general well water quality and learn about the hazards in your community. This is not certified baseline testing, but it is a low cost means of evaluating your drinking water source. It is important to KNOW Your H20! Get Your Water Tested and order a Neighboorhood Hazard Reports for your Home.
Filed under Children's Health, Clean Water Act, climate change, Community Health, Energy, Environmental Hazards, Environmental Health, environmental politics, Environmental Reports, Global Warming, Greenhouse Gas, Groundwater, Health, Homeowner, marcellus shale, Methane Gas Migration, New York, Palmerton, private well water testing, training continuing education, Unconventional Gas, Water, water conservation, Water Testing, Well water testing · Tagged with Brian Oram, citizen science, climate change, DRBC, drinking water, EDR Neighborhood Environmental Report, Global Warming, groundwater, Jeffrey Belardi, keystone clean water team, marcellus shale, Marcellus Shale Foundation, Ned Lang, Pat Henderson, PSA, public service announcements, royalty owners, Upper Delaware River Basin, Upper Delaware River Basin Citizens, well water
Posted by Brian on February 18, 2019 · 1 Comment
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral occurring in geologic deposits. Asbestos can enter the drinking water through the natural weathering of geological material containing asbestos or for a period of time cement water lines were used that contained asbestos. As the water lines decay, the asbestos enters the drinking water. “Asbestos is a generic term used to describe hydrated magnesium silicate minerals that crystallize as bundles of long, thin fibers which readily separate when broken or crushed. These minerals include chrysotile (serpentine) and fibrous varieties of amphibole group minerals such as crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, byssolite, and actinolite. The special properties of asbestos — high tensile strength, flexibility, and resistance to heat, chemicals, and electricity — have made it well suited for a number of commercial applications, particularly as fire-resistant tiles and insulation (Source).”
They are found in areas with igneous and metamorphic bedrock. Asbestos exposure has been linked to these manufacturing sectors: shipyards, power plants, chemical plants, oil refiners, and mining. The following trades are more likely to be exposed to asbestos drywall tapers, electricians, firefighters, auto mechanics, and plumbing and heating contractors. This is one reason we suggest you obtain a copy of your Neighborhood Hazard Report and if you are a public water customer to get a copy of your consumer confidence report (see below).
In 1974, the maximum contaminant level goal, i.e., MCLG, for asbestos was 7 million fibers per liter or MFL. In 1992, the Phase II Rules set the drinking water standard at 7 million fibers per liter was adequate to protect human health. Some people who drink water containing asbestos well in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for many years may have an increased risk of developing benign intestinal polyps.
For large scale water treatment – coagulation/filtration, diatomaceous earth filtration, nanofiltration, and corrosion control with sequestering are commonly used. For residential treatment – the most likely and reliable form of treatment would be a combination of reverse osmosis system that includes a filtration system that removes particles < 1 micron. This would include microfiltration, ultrafiltration & nanofiltration. The appropriate NFS Standards that would apply would be NSF / ANSI 53 and NSF/ ANSI 58.
NSF/ANSI Standard 53: Drinking Water Treatment Units – Health Effects
Overview: Standard 53 addresses point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE) systems designed to reduce specific health-related contaminants, such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia, lead, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether), that may be present in public or private drinking water.
NSF/ANSI Standard 58: Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Treatment Systems
Overview: This standard was developed for point-of-use (POU) reverse osmosis (RO) treatment systems. These systems typically consist of a pre-filter, RO membrane, and post-filter. Standard 58 includes contaminant reduction claims commonly treated using RO, including fluoride, hexavalent and trivalent chromium, total dissolved solids, nitrates, etc. that may be present in public or private drinking water.
other routes of exposure – Airborne
Asbestos dust was been found to have carcinogenic effects. The inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause fatal illnesses like malignant lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.
EPA Website on Asbestos
Quizlet on Asbestos
City Water Customers for Public Water Supplies – Check your consumer confidence report.
Healthy Homes / Healthy Community Article on Asbestos
Filed under asbestos, Children's Health, Clean Water Act, Environmental Hazards, Environmental Health, RO, water treatment systems · Tagged with amphibole group, asbestos, asbestosis, Cancer, contaminants drinking water, Drinking Water Treatment Units, intestinal polyps, NSF/ANSI Standard 53, NSF/ANSI Standard 58, reverse osmosis, Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Treatment Systems, RO
Posted by Brian on February 14, 2019 · 1 Comment
Andrew Wheeler, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s acting administrator, unveiled the Agency’s PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) action plan to address growing concerns around tainted drinking water and groundwater nationwide during a news conference on February 14 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In his address, Wheeler indicated the EPA will propose a regulatory determination, which is the next step in the Safe Drinking Water Act process, for establishing a federal maximum contaminant limit (MCL) for PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) by the end of 2019. Wheeler also said the Agency would continue its enforcement actions, clarify remediation strategies, expand monitoring of PFAS in the environment, and enhance the research and science for addressing the contaminants by developing new analytical methods and tools. The EPA’s current health advisory level for PFAS is 70 parts per trillion.
The National Ground Water Association applauds the EPA’s decision to move forward with the MCL process for PFOA and PFOS and urges the Agency to rely on sound science to make the determination as promptly as is feasible. Moving towards establishing an MCL will provide the national certainty required to ensure effective clean-up at sites around the country.
“PFAS contamination is a national crisis that requires national leadership, and the EPA’s announcement is an important step in providing that leadership,” said Lauren Schapker, government affairs director at NGWA. “As the EPA begins implementation of the PFAS management plan, NGWA will continue to work with the Agency to address the unique challenges facing rural areas and private well owners, and to ensure the technical and financial resources are made available to address the crisis.”
…..
PFAS / PFOS Drinking Water Testing of YOUR Water !
PFAS has been on NGWA’s radar for several years and will remain a priority issue for the foreseeable future. The Association has created a Groundwater and PFAS resource center for NGWA members. The center includes PFAS FAQs, top 10 facts about PFAS, and a homeowner checklist, among other items. NGWA is also the publisher of the guidance document, Groundwater and PFAS: State of Knowledge and Practice.
As in 2018, NGWA is hosting educational events on PFAS this year as well:
- PFAS in Groundwater Workshop: The Professional’s Challenge, June 18 in Westerville, Ohio
- The PFAS Management, Mitigation, and Remediation Conference, June 19-20 in Westerville, Ohio
- PFAS in Groundwater Workshop: The Professional’s Challenge, December 5 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Full Article
We are recommending the installation of a final barrier filter on your drinking water and you should learn more about the consumer products that contain PFOA and PFOS, because it is not just your drinking water.
Filed under Children's Health, city water testing, Clean Water Act, Community Health, Environmental Hazards, Environmental Health, Groundwater, Health, PFAS, pfos, POE, Sludge, Sourcewater Protection, Water, Water Testing, Well water testing · Tagged with groundwater pfas, NSF 401, NSF 42, NSF 53, NSF 58, NSF P473, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, Perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOA, PFOS
Posted by Brian on December 19, 2018 · Leave a Comment
“On Dec. 18, elevated levels of perchlorate were discovered in drinking water at Lake Norman High School in Iredell County, N.C. The Iredell-Statesville School Board has decided to provide bottled water to students and staff until further testing of the water quality is completed.
According to a press release, the school found that perchlorate levels at Lake Norman High School were particularly elevated compared to neighboring schools. While perchlorate levels are not regulated in North Carolina, the school system recognizes the risks and has opted to provide bottled water. The schools system hired an outside agency, Reliant Environmental, to test the district’s water quality following the discovery of elevated lead levels at a neighboring school.”
Source: Water Quality Magazine
Read More
What is Perchlorate?
Perchlorate is a naturally occurring and manufactured chemical anion (ClO4-). Perchlorate occurs naturally in arid states within the southwestern portioin of the United States, nitrate fertilizer deposits in Chile, and deposits of clay deposits rich in potassium and sodium salts, i.e., potash ore, in the United States. It also forms naturally in the atmosphere by a photochemical interaction between chloride and ozone in the atmosphere . Perchlorate is commonly used as an oxidizer in rocket propellants, munitions, fireworks, airbag initiators for vehicles, matches, and signal/road flares. The primary source of perchlorate is man-made.
People are exposed to perchlorate primarily through eating contaminated food or drinking water and perchlorate dissolves in water. FDA perchlorate data can be found here.
The EPA has not yet established a maximum contaminant level goal for perchlorate and the intermim health advisory can be found here. Massachusetts adopted a drinking water standard for perchlorate of 2 µg/L, and California promulgated a revised standard of 1 µg/L. In addition, states may impose clean-up standards related to the quality and use of the groundwater aquifer.
Perchlorate can be removed using a number of advanced treatment technologies. Each technology has advantages and disadvantages depending on the level of perchlorate present in the source water, removal goals, other water quality parameters, competing treatment objectives, and treatment waste disposal options. Regenerable and single-pass ion exchange, reverse osmosis, and fixed- and fluidized-bed biological treatment can all remove perchlorate from drinking water sources.
[amazon_link asins=’0849380812′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’webdespro-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’a150fbbf-03af-11e9-ac58-2d2b1b905d72′]
Posted by Brian on December 18, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Interesting article – “Newark said its water was safe, but email reveals it was warned of problems months ago”.
“City officials in Newark said they learned in October that lead water contamination wasn’t just affecting a dozen homes, but was a “widespread problem,” potentially impacting as many as 40,000 residents. But, a newly-released email shows officials were warned at least seven months earlier — months they spent insisting the water was “absolutely safe to drink,” and assuring residents that the issue was confined to a small number of homes.
Beginning in April of this year, through messages on its website and in public statements, the city blamed old infrastructure for elevated lead levels in tap water samples. New court records in an ongoing federal lawsuit over the city’s lead problem, however, show a consultant pointed to another cause: Newark’s water treatment at one of its plants no longer appeared to work — an early sign that the issue could be widespread.
CDM Smith, the consultant hired by Newark to study how the city was treating its water, submitted its draft report in October but shared its initial findings with three officials as early as February, records show.
In a Feb. 22 email to the city’s top water department officials — including then-director Andrea Hall Adebowale and then-deputy director Kareem Adeem — the consultant said a preliminary review showed Newark’s method of preventing lead from corroding off old plumbing and dissolving into the distribution system “has not been effective.””
Read More
Our Take
- Identifing and fixing system wide water distribution problems related to corrsion is not fast or easy.
- Part of the problem may be your own household plumbing, fixtures, and service lines – have a plumber check your piping.
- In my opinion, it is the user that will first notice a problem. These problems could be identified as a blue-green coating of aerators, blue green water, a metallic taste, and in the extreme corrosion and leaky pipes.
- Check your home for lead paint and dust hazards.
- We strongly recommend all water users to due the following:
- Order and have some easy to use self water testing kits.
- Consider using a point-of-use drinking water filter to polish your water.
- Know Your H20 – Get your water check by a laboratory at least annually.
Recommending Reading and More.
[amazon_link asins=’B005CKIM8K,B073713G5F’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’webdespro-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’9a8bed01-0302-11e9-8de1-b58977caa19f’]
Recommending Household Testing
[amazon_link asins=’B0091GUNYM’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’webdespro-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’cee2aaba-0302-11e9-b811-19c6fbcd846c’]
Filed under Children's Health, city water testing, Clean Water Act, Environmental Hazards, Environmental Health, Home Inspectors, Homeowner, lead, Water, Water Testing, Well water testing · Tagged with corrosion, Lead, lead in blood, lead paint, lead pipes, newark drinking water, water quality
Posted by Brian on November 21, 2018 · Leave a Comment
audioEARTH, a podcast from the American Geosciences Institute
The word “greenhouse” brings to mind a few different ideas. Agriculture and growth, for starters. Protection from the cold, perhaps. Glass walls. Glass ceilings. Greenhouse also refers to a fundamental idea in climate science – the greenhouse effect. But did you know that the greenhouse effect was first discovered by a woman? In this episode we’re telling the story of this discovery by geoscientist Eunice Foote, and we’re talking with some of the people and organizations that are promoting women in the geosciences.
Guests are Mackenzie Cremeans, Ph.D. (Association of Women Geoscientists), Professor Collin Roesler, Ph.D. (Bowdoin College), and Heather Houlton (American Geosciences Institute).
This is the final episode of season 1! If you’ve enjoyed listening, please consider leaving a review on iTunes. It helps others find the show. Thanks!
audioEARTH connects Earth, science and people by sharing compelling audio stories about geoscience.
Suggested Reading:
Filed under Air Quality, Carbon Sequestering, Children's Health, Climate, climate change, Environmental Health, Environmental Law, environmental politics, Global Warming, Greenhouse Gas, webinars · Tagged with climate, climate change, climate effect, climate history, collin roesler, Eunice Foote, geoscientist, global cooling, Global Warming, greenhouse, greenhouse gases, heather houlton, Mackenzie Cremeans, man controls climate, man-made climate change, rooling the dice
Posted by Brian on October 27, 2018 · Leave a Comment
The Science on Ozone Laundry Systems
by Jenn Beem
When we think about doing laundry we typically think of laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and hot water. Skin irritations and allergic reactions are often from detergents and other soaps left in fabrics. Most individuals use laundry detergent for flowery, “fresh” smelling odors. Laundry Detergents and fabric softeners contain Volatile Organic Chemicals, below are just a few of the hazardous materials.
Phosphates: Manufacturers use these to make detergents more effective in hard water, and to help prevent dirt from settling back on clothes when they’re washing. These chemicals have long been associated with environmental damage, particularly in our streams and waterways. They cause algae blooms that damage ecosystems.
Cleaning agents (surfactants): These are included in the formula to help the product clean better.
Stabilizers: These chemicals help stabilize the formula, so that it lasts longer on the shelf.
Bleach: It’s known to irritate skin, eyes, and lungs, and when it mixes with wastewater, it can form toxic organic compounds that have been linked with respiratory issues, liver, and kidney damage.
Brighteners: Chemicals that remain on the clothes to absorb UV light and help clothes “appear” brighter. These chemicals also remain on the clothes so they are most likely to come into contact with skin.
EDTA: Many detergents have eliminated these, but they’re often using ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-EDTA) in its place, which does not readily biodegrade, and has been found to be toxic in animal studies.
Fragrance: Manufacturers combine many chemicals to produce a fragrance—so you’ll believe your clothes are clean because they smell clean—and they don’t have to list those chemicals on the label because of trade protection.
Ozone as a detergent-less laundry cleaning solution kills micro-organisms found in dirty laundry – and does so 3000 time faster than bleach! Dr. Sheila Baker, Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Missouri-Columbia, scientifically examined the technology behind the use of Ozone for detergent-less laundry solutions. Her research is focused on designing task-specific ionic liquid systems, nano-materials and their hybrids for clean energy applications. In her paper, Report on Ozone Laundry Systems, Dr. Baker finds that “Ozone does work for removing stains,” examining how it works, its effectiveness, as well as the threefold benefits of ozone. Below are excerpts from that report.
History
Ozone for commercial laundry applications was first introduced in the late 1970s-early 1980s in penal institutions but their performance was poor. (1) A second generation in the 1990s had better performance, and their performance has increased since then due mostly to a better understanding of how these systems work. By 2009, there were over 4,000 commercial laundry facilities that were using ozone laundry systems. (1) Some newer systems today offer controlled and variable levels of ozone and sensors that monitor and sometimes control ambient ozone levels.
How Ozone Works
Ozone does work for removing stains from laundry. It works through an oxidation mechanism whereby ozone and an OH radical, a breakdown product from ozone and water, can both work as oxidants. Ozone is a superb antimicrobial agent and can eliminate even superbugs when used properly. Also, ozone is very economical. It works best in cold water and relaxes the fabric so no softener is required and shortens drying times. Due to the cold water and shorter dryer times, fabric life is often extended. As for whitening abilities, ozone is similar to hydrogen peroxide. The method for cleaning by ozone in water is based on two reaction mechanisms – a direct and an indirect mechanism. (2,3,5) The direct method occurs when ozone acts as the oxidizer itself to break chemical bonds. The indirect method involves ozone reacting first with water to produce OH-radicals followed by the OH-radicals oxidizing chemical bonds. When ozone and OH-radicals come in contact with soils and stains in linen, they help break chemical bonds to release the stain or soil. One kind of reaction (direct or indirect) will dominate, depending on various factors, such as temperature, pH and chemical composition of the water. The higher the pH and temperature, the more OH-radicals will be produced. While OH-radicals have even greater oxidizing power than ozone, they are very short-lived in solution.
Effectiveness
Ozone is considerably more effective at lower water temperatures such as cold or ambient temperature water. This is due to its increased stability and higher solubility at lower water temperatures. Thus, it is recommended to use ozone on cold water cycles. This saves energy from not needing to heat the water.
In a recent study, when compared to hydrogen peroxide, ozone utilized in cotton preparation was able to obtain a Stensby degree of whiteness of 81 of scoured samples which was comparable to hydrogen peroxide. (5) Further, no strength loss of the fabric was observed. As compared to chlorine bleach, the levels of ozone present may not always be high enough to offer the same level of bleaching stains. (1) For these cases, some chlorine may be required in conjunction with ozone to achieve the highest effectiveness. If a bleach cycle is required, a scouring agent (acid) or multiple rinse cycles may be required to lower the pH so as to prevent skin irritations. However, ozone can often be used with colored fabric without the concern for bleaching the fabric, unlike chlorine bleach. Further, for disinfection purposes, you can use ozone alone instead of bleach. Ozone can reduce or eliminate the need for fabric softeners. Fabric softeners increase drying times due to the way they coat fabrics. However, the way in which ozone and oxygen assist in relaxing the fabric, more water is extracted during the spin cycle so that less drying time is needed. Due to the cold water and shorter dryer times, fabric life is often extended. Basically, ozone oxidizes the soil in the fabric allowing it to detach easier.
Benefits of Ozone
The reported benefits of ozone are three-fold: economical, microbiological, and environmental.
Economical
A California hotel conducted a study over a 2-month period in a facility with 104 rooms to compare traditional an EcoTex ozone laundering system. (1) They found the annual costs of ozone vs. traditional laundry was less in the categories of electrical (30% savings), natural gas (81% savings), chemical (21% savings), water (26% savings), and labor (39% savings). A 2012 hotel study entitled ‘Ozone Laundry – 95 Room Hotel Payback Study” showed similar results and a savings of almost $780 per month. (6) They found that the ozone laundry system saved over 47% of fuel costs for boiler and dryer operation, with a 74% savings for the boilers (hot water) alone. In addition, the system eliminated softener costs, reduced electrical costs for the washers and dryers by about 13%, and reduced linen replacement costs by 10%.
Microbiological
Ozone has been shown to effectively control, disinfect, and/or totally eradicate microorganisms normally found in soiled laundry in many studies.1 For example, one study found that several microorganisms such as E. coli and many types of viruses were eradicated within minutes by ozone cold water laundering. (7) Even more impressive, the same was found for two superbugs (MRSA and C. difficile). These superbugs are often resistant to traditional hot water laundry processes. However, the disinfection is a time-dependent process. Ozone is effective in killing bacteria in 3 minutes and viruses in 6 minutes. So, in this aspect ozone laundry system out perform traditional systems. It is recommended that laundry wash cycles be 10-12 minutes in order to determine a concentration over time value that is the recommended method to report compliance with U.S. EPA disinfection requirements of drinking water.
Environmental Impacts
The use of ozone for laundry also has environmental benefits. The strong oxidizing power of ozone and OH-radicals initiate the conversion of most organic components of the soiling materials into more readily biodegradable byproducts. (8) The discharged water from laundry wastewater systems that use ozone typically contain higher levels of oxygen which benefits receiving streams, lakes, and rivers by providing oxygen for the natural microorganisms to do a better job of breaking down discharged pollutants into carbon dioxide and water. (8)
Oxidizer Pro INC.
If you are interested in hearing more about how our American Made Detergent-less laundry system works, we will be happy to answer all your questions. Our revolutionizing detergent-less laundry product is not only ecofriendly but also very safe and healthy. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
Phone: 440-746-0343
Website: www.oxidizeit.com
Email: info@oxidizeit.com
References
References
Rice, R. G.; DeBrum, M.; Cardis, D.; Tapp, C., The ozone laundry handbook: A comprehensive guide for the proper application of ozone in the commercial laundry industry. Ozone: Science and Engineering 2009, 31 (5), 339-347.
Von Gunten, U., Ozonation of drinking water: Part I. Oxidation kinetics and product formation. Water Research 2003, 37 (7), 1443-1467.
Hamilton Gordon, A.; Ribner Bruce, S.; Hellman Thomas, M., The Mechanism of Alkane Oxidation by Ozone. In Oxidation of Organic Compounds, AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY: 1968; Vol. 77, pp 15-25.
Von Gunten, U., Ozonation of drinking water: Part II. Disinfection and by-product formation in presence of bromide, iodide or chlorine. Water Research 2003, 37 (7), 1469-1487.
Eren, H. A.; Ozturk, D., The evaluation of ozonation as an environmentally friendly alternative for cotton preparation. Textile Research Journal 2011, 81 (5), 512-519.
DEL Ozone Laundry Saves Hotel $9,000 a Year. http://www.environmentalleader.com/2012/10/17/del-ozone-laundry-saves-hotel-9000-a-year / (accessed April 14, 2013).
Cardis, D.; Tapp, C.; DeBrum, M.; Rice, R. G., Ozone in the laundry industry – Practical experiences in the United Kingdom. Ozone: Science and Engineering 2007, 29 (2), 85-99.
Rice, R. G.; DeBrum, M.; Hook, J.; Cardis, D.; Tapp, C., Economic and environmental benefits of ozone in ozone laundering systems. Ozone: Science and Engineering 2009, 31 (5), 348-356.
Filed under Community Health, conservation, consumer products, environmental education, Environmental Health, foaming agents, Homeowner, ozone · Tagged with Jenn Beem, laundry, Oxidize It™, oxidizeit, oxidizeit.com, ozonation, Ozone
