Product category:
Filters and Centrifuges
News Release from: Hanovia | Subject: UV chlorination
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 13 December 2004
UV chosen after report on
Trihalomethanes in water
In a recent scientific study, trihalomethanes (THMs - by-products of chlorination) in public water supplies in the UK have been linked to stillbirths and low birth-weight babies
In a recent scientific study, trihalomethanes (THMs - by-products of chlorination) in public water supplies in the UK have been linked to stillbirths and low birth-weight babies Following the report Hanovia has received a number of enquiries about the use of UV both as an alternative to chlorination and also as a method of removing THMs
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 24 Feb 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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The researchers, led by Mireille Toledano of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at Imperial College, London, concluded that their data suggests "a significant association of stillbirths with maternal residence in high TTHM (total trihalomethanes) exposure areas".
The study investigated the statistical relationship between exposure to elevated TTHM levels and occurrence of stillbirths and very low birth-weights from 1992 to 1998 in three UK water company areas serving 16.8 million people.
The team correlated quarterly estimates of average TTHM concentrations (ranging from 35.8 to 56.6 microgrammes/litre) with stillbirths and low birth-weight babies from among a million pregnancies.
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They said their results warranted further research and cautioned that while "limited data from laboratory and epidemiological studies are not so far indicative of a causal association between exposure to THMs and stillbirths in humans, it would seem appropriate that water suppliers continue to follow the current policy of reducing THMs and other disinfection by-products (DBPs) in public water supplies, as far as is consistent with maintaining effective control against waterborne microbiological disease".
A leading method of water treatment being taken up by more and more water utilities (and swimming pool operators) is UV disinfection.
UV is extremely efficient at killing all water-borne pathogens, including bacteria, viruses and their spores.
While small amounts of chlorine are always required for residual disinfection, the level can be kept to an absolute minimum.
UV can also be used to destroy THMs and other contaminants, such as pesticides, in water supplies.
Hanovia UV disinfection systems are compact and can usually be installed within existing pipework.
Operation and maintenance is simple and can easily be carried out by on-site staff.
Reduced chlorine usage also results in significant cost savings for plant operators, as well as cutting down on chemical handling.
While further research into the effects of THMs is obviously needed, those operators with any doubts about the long-term health effects of their current disinfection regime should seriously consider UV as a cleaner, healthier alternative.
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