SEACOAST SCIENCE, INC. — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase I: NCEZID

Description

Chlorination of swimming pools is necessary to insure swimmers healthhoweverthis process results in the formation of organic and inorganic chloraminesThe presence of volatile inorganic chloramines proximate to the water surface cause a variety of maladiesieirritation to the eyesskinand respiratory systemThe concentration of the chloramines tend to accumulate specifically in indoor poolsIn response to this problemthe CDC developed a voluntary health codeMAHCto guide relevant authorities for best practices to insure the health and safety of swimmersOne hole in this guidance is the lack of a commercial test kit to determine the amount of inorganic chloramines in this environmentIn response to the stated needs of the CDCNational Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious DiseasesNCEZIDproposed herein in this Phase I SBIR is a sensor system for the specific and direct detection of inorganic chloramines in the vapor phase near the water surfaceThis system will allow both periodic detection and upon optimization long term unattended monitoring with an electronic sensor platform developed by Seacoast Science IncDuring the Phase I workthe concept will be validated against onsite generated chloramines in the presence of various interfering analytesprimarily water vaporTo accomplish the Phase I proof of concept workthe following tasks are proposedselection of initial sensor coatingsinitial screening down selection of coatings on two sensor platformsand coating and testing optimum materials on the best sensor platform Inorganic chloramines are toxic and irritating compounds that form as a result of water chlorinateIf these compounds accumulate near the surface of indoor swimming poolsthe health of swimmers can be compromisedThis proposal describes the development of device for the specific detection of these compounds using novel materials and a proprietary sensor system developed at Seacoast ScienceThis tool will allow the real time monitoring and improve public health by informing pool operators and relevant authorities when levels of chloramine exceed safe levels