Myrtha Breathe
The Product
Myrtha Pools is proud to launch its latest innovation.
Myrtha Breathe is a system developed by Myrtha Pools research and design team with the purpose of removing volatile Disinfection-by-Products (DBPs), such as chloramines and halomethanes, from the atmosphere of an indoor swimming facility.
It aims at preserving pools cleanliness and preventing the onset of diseases caused by a prolongated exposure to DBPs.
The system is made up of a gutter channel surrounding the pool with a thin, porous pipe that lies along the base of the gutter. The main gutter is flanked by a secondary gutter and, between the gutters is a suction conduit that sucks the contaminated air from the main gutter, the secondary gutter, and the pool deck.
Myrtha Pools is proud to launch its latest innovation, Myrtha Breathe.
Myrtha Breathe is a system developed by Myrtha Pools research and design team with the purpose of remove volatile Disinfection-by-Products (DBPs), such as chloramines and halomethanes, from the atmosphere of an indoor swimming facility.
It aims at preserving pools cleanliness and preventing the onset of diseases caused by a prolongated exposure to DBPs.
The system is made up of a gutter channel surrounding the pool with a thin, porous pipe that lies along the base of the gutter. The main gutter is flanked by a secondary gutter and, between the gutters is a suction conduit that sucks the contaminated air from the main gutter, the secondary gutter, and the pool deck.
How does it work?
DBPs stripping is performed in the gutter channel surrounding the pool. Air is insufflated through porous pipes that form fine bubbles, that absorb the DPSs dissolved in the pool water and releases them into the air inside the channel.
From there, suction removes the stripped DBPs from the channel and generates an air flow which borders the channel preventing DBPs from exiting. Suction is also performed toward the secondary channel and the pool deck in order to remove the DBPs spontaneously evaporated from the surface of the pool.
The contaminated air is then exhausted outside the natatorium.
The strong points of Myrtha Breathe
DBPs volatilization is forced into the gutter channel, a confined space; this way the removal through suction is easier.
Suction flow rate is lower than the amount requested for air exchange; therefore, exhausted air from Myrtha Breathe can be embedded in the amount daily exhausted for compliance with HVAC regulations.
Low impact on dissolved chlorine thanks to its low volatility.
More efficient environmental suction inside the natatorium, since DBPs tend to settle near the pool deck.
No huge additional plant: only a blower for air insufflation is needed.
ABOUT CHLORAMINES
SOME STUDIES CAN BE FOUND HERE:
- Exposure to trichloramine and respiratory symptoms in indoor swimming pool workers
DOWNLOAD DOCUMENT - Asthma and exercise-induced respiratory disorders in athletes
DOWNLOAD DOCUMENT - The influence of chlorine in indoor swimming pools on the composition of breathing phase of professional swimmers.
DOWNLOAD DOCUMENT
What are chloramines and where do they come from?
Chloramines are formed when the chlorine in the pools is mixed with the bodily fluids of bathers. This means the production of chloramines is unavoidable, but now with Myrtha Breathe, there is a possibility to control the amount chloramines that aspirate into the bather’s environment. The existing solutions for the removal of chloramines are not the most effective or environmentally sustainable, so Myrtha developed a one-of-a-kind system, to do the job. The Myrtha Breathe suction flow rate is less than the fresh air intake required by HVAC codes, therefore our suction can be embedded into the suction system that the facility must have to be compliant with HVAC codes. Additionally, the embedment of our suction system into the one required by HVAC codes, does not cause the HVAC plant size to increase. Myrtha Breathe not only exhausts chloramines, but also actively strips them from the water volume itself using our patent pending technology.
How excess chloramines can lead to lifelong respiratory infections and diseases?
It is no surprise that respiratory illnesses in swimmers can be tied to the constant exposure of chloramines, and now is the time to create a safer environment for your bathers.
Many international studies have been completed on this topic, displaying that those swimmers who are constantly exposed to excess chloramines, suffer from respiratory diseases more commonly than swimmers who are not exposed.
How excess chloramines in indoor swimming pools affect swimmers?
Since chloramines are dense and often rest on the water’s surface, swimmers breathing at the water surface are the most adversely affected. Professional athletes, age group swimmers, kids learning to swim and even not so frequent lap swimmers, are all victims to poor air quality and can suffer short term and long-term negative health effects caused by chloramine build up in an indoor natatorium.
How excess chloramines in indoor swimming pools can affect coaches/lifeguards/facility managers/spectators (any person not inside the pool but regularly exposed)?
Many staff working different roles in an indoor facility are also affected. Although most chloramines hover at the surface of the water, staff in these facilities can have long term affects after constant daily exposure to the poor air quality they are working in.
How excess chloramines in indoor swimming pools can affect the lifespan of a facility?
The chloramines being produced within an indoor facility, without affective extraction are likely to eat away at surfaces throughout the facility, causing permanent damage to accessories and infrastructure around the pool as well as permanent damage to the building itself.
The Topic of Sustainability
Myrtha products already play a major role in contributing to LEED/BREAM/GREEN STAR, this new development is just another step further to creating an all-round sustainable facility. Using Myrtha materials, as opposed to tile and concrete contributes to LEED certification, and incorporating solutions such as Myrtha Breathe, you are guaranteed a sustainable and eco-friendly facility, lasting years, and years. Myrtha Breathe furthers Myrtha’s sustainability pursuit by improving indoor air quality for patrons and reducing long term damage to infrastructure.