Mary wrote:
>
> Dear Frank,
>
> What are the advantages and disadvantages of H2O2 for pools, would like to
> consider it for my pool...
>
> And, why is it not more widely used?

The most obvious benefit is that you avoid the toxic effect of chlorine.

Peroxide is also used therapeutically is a pool by Dr. Donbach in Mexico
to increase oxygen in cancer patients.

Peroxide will not cause eye irritation, green hair, and fading of
bathing suits. It has been reported that it prevents sun burning but I
don't know about that.

Here are instructions I received on its use in pools:

Swimming pools

It has been found for start up that 1 pint of 35% food
or technical grade hydrogen peroxide should be
added for each 1000 gallons in the pool system. Let
stand for one day with the circulation pump going.
(Dr. Donbach indicates from his experience that an
average size pool takes about eight gallons to begin
with and then one-half to one gallon must be added
per week.) The pool should be maintained at 40 parts
per million. This can be determined by peroxide test
strips or by use of a titration kit.

It is extremely important to keep the filters clean.
The addition of an ultra violet light or an ozonator
will reduce the amount of hydrogen peroxide that
you will need to add.

Sunlight will dissipate hydrogen peroxide just as it
dissipates chlorine, so regular additions of H2O2
will have to be made. The number of people using
the pool or frequency of pool use determines the
amount of H2O2 that must be added.

Most water from municipal water supplies contains
chlorine. This is why the original "shock" of a large
amount of hydrogen peroxide is necessary for start
up. Hydrogen peroxide forces chlorine out of the
water in the pool or hot tub.

One incident where H202 did not work in the pool was
because of the mineral content of the water. A diatomaceous
filter will require more attention than a sand filter because a
diatomaceous earth system will filter out smaller particles than a
sand filter. If you have a diatomaceous earth filter, the addition of
a paper filter ahead of the filter will keep it from clogging up as
frequently.

Just a note as to what may happen with extreme amounts
of hydrogen peroxide, I swam in a pool with one hundred
parts per million and noted on getting out of the pool the
dead skin flakes that floated on top of the water. It was very
refreshing.

HOT TUBS
Check with the hot tub manufacturer to determine the
compatibility of your system with H202. The average size hot
tub could be started up with one quart or more of 35% H202
until it tests 40 ppm. Turn the circulation pump on to distribute it
evenly, then intermittently during the next 24 hours. Add
enough hydrogen peroxide from time to time to maintain it at
approximately 40 parts per million.

Peroxide test strips can be ordered from:
Lab Safety Supply
P.O.Box 1368 Janesville, WI 53437
1-800-356-0783

H202 Inc.
2580 Muhlenhardt Road
Shakopee, MN 55379
612-496-1417

Jerry Freeman
4853 Joyce Drive
Dayton, OH 45439
513-299-4283

Titration test kits for hydrogen peroxide are available from:
Hach World Headquarters
P.O. Box 389
Loveland, CO 80539
1-800-227-4224

CHEMetrics, Inc.
Rt. 28
Calverton,VA 22016
1-800-356-3072