Piru CA, May 5th, 2025 – United Chemical, a well-known manufacturer in the pool industry, has begun a study for the US EPA regarding potential bromate formation from sodium bromide use in outdoor pools. United Chemical has constructed eight (8) above-ground test pools at its facility, which will test for bromate under several common use cases for sodium bromide over the coming summer.
In 2021, the US EPA made an interim decision regarding using bromine-containing compounds in outdoor pools due to the potential for bromate to form as a byproduct. The decision was made to add the statement “Not for use in outdoor pools” to all registered bromine sanitizers. Algaecides containing sodium bromide were also included in the decision. The agency cited a lack of data on whether bromate would form under typical outdoor pool use as the rationale behind the decision. Bromate is classified as a probable human carcinogen based on studies of bromate ingestion in mice that led to renal tumors. The required label changes will appear across the industry later this year.
“While there’s indirect evidence to suggest that bromate is unlikely to form in swimming pools, it was important to test that hypothesis – both to provide the agency and industry with data it lacked, as well as for our own peace of mind,” says Scott Hamilton, CEO of United Chemical and son of founder Jock Hamilton. “My father introduced sodium bromide to the industry through Yellow Treat in the early 1980s. 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.”
United Chemical invested over $50,000 to construct the outdoor pools and provide on-site 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 is estimated to cost over $20,000 for the study.
“While most people know us through our algaecides like Yellow Treat® and No Mor Problems®, we consider ourselves a science company first. 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,” says Scott. “It’s our scientific and ethical duty.”
About United Chemical
United Chemical was founded in 1971 by Jock Hamilton and makes specialty pool products. They’re most well-known for their line of algaecides 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. He passed away in 2002.
You can 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, please contact Scott Hamilton at (805)521-1011 or [email protected]
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