Iodine Ban by the Eu

Water purification and EU legislation.

It isn't often that I am affected by EU Legislation that I see so blatantly in my day to day life, but recently I had someone buy up my whole stock of Iodine Tincture - and wanting more besides!

I duly got in touch with my supplier only to find that you can no longer sell Iodine in the EU. This was a surprise. hard to keep up with changes in law. Especially EU Law. So I duly sold what I had in stock and advised the customer accordingly - who knew about the ban and was buying up as much as he could from people who were still advertising it.

Researching a little further I see that it is classed as biocide and is being banned because of this and also - according to some forums, can be part of a drug making paraphernalia.

A quote taken from a forum shows Lifesystems stance in this:

'As you may know, iodine droplets and tablets will not be able to be sold in Europe for water purification purposes after 26th October 2009. Although proven to be very effective and safe, unfortunately iodine is not being supported under the EU Biocides Directive. For this reason Lifesystems will discontinue supplying iodine products (stock codes 3100/3110) in August of this year. It should be made clear that the product is still perfectly safe to use. Please however be aware that we will not accept any returns on iodine after August, unless due to a quality problem.Lifesystems have been working with various water treatment experts to make sure an improved alternative is available. Chlorine tablets will continue as normal, but we will also be introducing Chlorine Dioxide liquid and tablets to the range from August to replace Iodine. Chlorine Dioxide is considered to be the best way to disinfect water in outdoor environments and will be very effective against most water borne pathogens including Cryptosporidium and Giardia, and does not have any after-taste or long-term effects. '

Which makes interesting reading. Amazing how EU legislation 'filters' (excuse the pun) and affects humble little retailers, who aren't really into 'doing drugs' or major biocide use. So I'm guessing look out for Chlorine Dioxide water purification , in stock at Walk and Travel and has been for years - like to think we are one step ahead of the EU ;-), if you really want to be sure about making your water clean. To be honest, it is what I've used, quite a lot, but not in real anger in Africa or Asia, just in UK and European mountain streams and even with my delicate disposition, have fared well. On the other hand you could invest in a great Katadyn Water Filter, that will clean out most of the nasties that you don't want to drink.

Get your Chlorine Dioxide water purification now, before the EU decide that this too becomes a banned chemical. You may also want to stock up on DEET insect repellent and permethrin insect proof clothing treatment as well, but I think that story is for another time.

Water Filters & Overland Truck Safaris

Water filters - which one do I need for an overland truck safari?

I've just had a great conversation with a customer about water filters and deciding what one he needs to take on his adventure. What adventure is he doing? He is getting the bus to Australia. From the UK. Cool. Now this is a trip that one day I'll be doing.

The journey takes 6 months on board a converted Scania lorry, an overland truck safari grande! My customer said that he was travelling with UK to Oz Overland taking in 23 countries in one massive hit. This is the route they are taking. That's as many countries as I have been to in my life time -let alone cramming them into 6 months, and going through Iran. Iran is supposed to be stunning and you need to get there soon in case the Americans decide they want a regime change. I'm jealous, I'll admit it.

Think of all those fantastic passport stamps and visa's that look really rather grand when you get home. Think of all the fantastic photos, places, people. The three P's sounds like a marketing wheeze. But to me it is really what travel is about. Photo's, Places, People.

So that is the amazing adventure that my client is going on. On an overland truck safari they usually provide you with clean water, but this water is kept in storage tanks on the truck and then often cleaning using a chemical process, such as chlorine. Sometimes this may leave the water not tasting brill, so you may just want to put it through a water filter to give it a thorough clean - hopefully making it taste a little better.

We went through his options and he was advised to get a water filter bottle where you can just fill up the bottle and the top is the filter. Now, 6 months on the road is quite a long time and these bottles only do 150-200 litres of water until you need a new filter. You would probably need to be drink 2-3 liters of fluids a day, especially if it is hot and more than 3 liters if it is excessively hot or you sweat profusely. So you may need to think of a new filter on the bottle every 50-60 days. so on this trip you will need to take two/three spare water filters for the bottle. Which can be expensive.

Looking at other options the Katadyn Mini Water Filter looked like an ideal alternative, but you need to pump the water through the filter, from one container to another container, or directly from the source, be it a stream or a sink in your hotel. The Katadyn Mini Filter can filter up to 7000 liters of water before you need to replace the water filter. So this may be the better option.

Before you go on an overland truck safari, talk to the operator and see what they recommend and what would be the easiest for you to use. My customer is going for an Aquamira water filter bottle -because it what was recommended and because it is simple and easy to use.

What are your thoughts? Have you used water filters on an overland truck safari? Got a question on water filters? Post your comments!!

Want to read an overland truck safari review? Rob sent this one in after his trip to India.

Mountain Leader Training

Has anyone out there done their UK mountain leader training? I was wondering how beneficial you found it. I'm thinking of doing mine and trying to squeeze it in before I take my Scouts to Poland trekking in the Tatras Mountains. Main reason for this is because I was on an Expedition Medicine Weekend (run by Forest Knights in the sunny West Sussex countryside) and the guy who was running it asked me if I had a lost person policy and plan, i.e. what I would do if I lost one of my Scouts when I am out. In the mountains I imagine this could be quite important. So you learn how to deal with this on a Mountain Leader Training Course? Group management - I hope so. I think I'll do some reading up on it.

I'm also thinking about what kit I'll take and there will have to be a confidence rope in my day pack as well as the usual suspects of an Expedition First Aid Kit, survival bag and a group mountain shelter.

New Outdoor Products and Poland

Life is quite exciting at the moment, my website is doing well; www.walkandtravel.com and I'm introduced some great new products! Have you heard of Rab Sleeping Bags? These down sleeping bags are are some of the best in the world and sexy as hell! The down bags that I am stocking at the Rab Quantum Range, both for men and women. They are ultralight and have an excellent warmth to weight ratio. Have a look at the Rab Quantum Sleeping Bags.

While all that is going on, I'm still helping out with running an Explorer Scout Unit in Horsham in the UK, it's coming up to summer expedition time...how cool! We are planning to go to the High Tatras Mountains in Poland and trek to the highest peak Mt Rysys over four days staying in the mountain huts while we are there. Naturally there will be some time to experience the Polish culture in Zakopane and Krakow and hopefully, if we can sneak one in, a cheeky Polish Beer. Anyone had one? Is it good? If anyone has some travel tips for Poland and High Tatras mountains it would be great to hear them.

Bye for now!

G