UKC

Steripen EU to Ban Iodine for Use in Disinfecting Drinking Water

© SteriPEN
photo
SteriPEN Adventurer
© SteriPEN

Blue Hill, ME – June 12, 2009 – The European Union (EU) has announced that iodine will no longer be sold or supplied for use in disinfecting drinking water after October 25, 2009. This announcement directly impacts all 27 countries in the EU and can potentially set global precedents regarding the safety of using chemical-based water treatment products.

Using iodine to disinfect drinking water is a long-standing practice throughout the world, routinely used by outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, military personnel, disaster survivors and emergency respondents. When used for short periods, and with the correct dosage, it has been considered safe. However, the U.S. Center for Disease Control advises against consuming iodinated water for more than a few weeks. Pregnant women, those with a history of thyroid disease, and those allergic to iodine should not drink iodinated water.

Asked what the EU directive means for the USA, Ed Volkwein, president of Hydro-Photon, Inc., said: “I expect that in time the USA, and possibly other countries around the world, may consider similar action to what is stipulated in the EU directive. At Hydro-Photon we're pleased to be part of a solution—our SteriPEN UV portable water purifiers (www.steripen.com) destroy viruses, bacteria and protozoan microbes in just seconds without the use of chemicals. SteriPEN water purifiers provide safe drinking water anywhere, anytime.”

More information about the new EU Directive is available at ec.europa.eu/environment/biocides/pdf/list_dates_product_phasing_out.pdf

About Hydro-Photon, Inc.

Headquartered in Blue Hill, Maine, USA, Hydro-Photon, Inc. is a world leader in handheld, ultraviolet light water purifiers. The SteriPEN brand sets the standard for fast, light, easy and effective water purification. The SteriPEN product line includes the SteriPEN Classic, Adventurer, Traveler and Journey. Hydro-Photon is privately held and information about the company, SteriPEN products, dealers, and independent lab test results can be found at www.steripen.com

Contact: Stephanie Briggs Spring PR
stephanie@springpr.com
01249 750819


For more information Rosker



13 Jul, 2009
Hmmm is this a good thing or a bad thing ??? I have used it and given it to many on comercial trips abroad.... Was it bad stuff ? Aye Dan
13 Jul, 2009
well it is a poison...
13 Jul, 2009
Me too Dan - been using iodine on foreign expeds for years - I will be going to Ghana with a group later this week and we will be having iodine issued for that - gonna phone the company tomorrow.
13 Jul, 2009
and tastes like shite.
13 Jul, 2009
Just reading the list of soon to be de-listed chemicals now; did they actually research this or did they just cut and paste from the pesticide handbook? It contains some of the most widely used industrial biocides as well as a large number of consumer products, although presumably most will continue to be used but just called something else (ie Formic acid used as a de-scaler rather than a biocidal flush in industrial cooling equipment). http://ec.europa.eu/environment/biocides/pdf/list_dates_product_phasing_out.pdf
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