United Chemical, a premier provider of specialty pool chemicals, is launching a new study that will examine a possible byproduct that may result from the use of sodium bromide in outdoor pools.

The study comes in response to new EPA-mandated labeling requirements that specify that sodium bromide may not be used for outdoor pools. The new labeling requirements were prompted by the concern that sodium bromide could convert to significant quantities of bromates, which are harmful byproducts that can form in the presence of UV light and oxidizers like chlorine.

According to scientists with the EPA, the use of sodium bromide as an algicide and sanitizer in outdoor pools has been associated with the potential to form bromate, which is classified as “probable human carcinogen.”

In its decision to ban the chemical for outdoor use, the EPA cited a lack of evidence of whether bromates actually do form in typical outdoor pools, and have posed the ban as an action taken in an abundance of caution.

United Chemical has disputed the claim that the risk of bromate formation is significantly higher in outdoor, UV-exposed environments, or that sodium bromide should be barred from use in outdoor swimming pools.

A longtime supplier of sodium bromide-based algicides, United Chemical has contended that the EPA’s decision was based on “theoretical risk” drawn from laboratory conditions — not from real-world pool use. On its website, the company explains that bromine, which forms in treated real-world pools, is rapidly consumed by organic contaminants, as is the product’s intended purpose. Dangerous bromate levels, on the other hand, are more likely to occur in clean, oxidizer-rich water with little to no contaminant load — such as unused pools with ozone or UV systems.

Scott Hamilton, CEO of United Chemical, said that while there is indirect evidence that bromate is unlikely to form in outdoor swimming pools, it is important to test that hypothesis —to provide the EPA and the industry with data it lacked. He’s also hopeful that the data will bring United Chemical peace of mind.

“My father introduced sodium bromide to the industry through Yellow Treat in the early 1980s,” Hamilton said. “Although we feel confident based on existing evidence that bromate doesn’t form from sodium bromide under typical use in outdoor pools, we felt it was our responsibility to invest in performing the study.”

That investment currently totals more than $50 thousand in the construction of outdoor pools and onsite testing equipment to log sample data. Samples under various conditions will be sent to Eurofin, a highly respected laboratory well-regarded by the US EPA. Eurofin will use ion chromatography, considered the gold standard for bromate detection, to test for bromate concentrations. The testing itself is estimated to cost more than $20 thousand.

“While most people know us through our algicides like Yellow Treat

and No Mor Problems

, we consider ourselves a science company first,” Hamilton said. “My dad built the company on teaching chemistry to the industry. That’s why we will publish all the raw data we collect to the industry. It’s important that this study is as transparent and rigorous as possible. It’s our scientific and ethical duty.”

United Chemical was founded in 1971 by Jock Hamilton and makes specialty pool products. They’re most well-known for their line of algicides that utilize sodium bromide. Jock Hamilton was widely recognized as an expert in water chemistry in the industry, including creating the Hamilton Index, which was the first index made explicitly for pools. Many of his insights significantly influenced the balancing recommendations of the pool industry.

Read more about the EPA decisions and United Chemical’s study on their website here: https://www. unitedchemical.com/pool-business/ is-sodium-bromide-banned/ For more information, contact Scott Hamilton at (805) 521-1011 or email him at s.hamilton@unitedchemical. com.

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