Jones Beene wrote:
OK yes - it does get worse over time but that is not material to the comment of a low starting level, i.e. a low impurity level **when it comes from the supplier**. Until container is opened, if it says 99.9% DDO, then there should be NO bacteria . . .
When bacteria is present, it always comes from the supplier. The species does not exist outside of heavy water. Regardless of the supplier, most of the world's heavy water originates from Atomic Energy of Canada (formerly Ontario Hydro), and Celani says that many samples from Atomic Energy of Canada are contaminated with bacteria, regardless of where you buy them.
and no significant leachants, and the stated amount of light water should be below the fractional percent.
I wouldn't trust it without an on-site assay. Mizuno and Storms have both told me there is often more light water than the label shows.
The one thing you will not find in heavy water is contamination from Candu fission reactors. Contrary to Hoffman's book, they do NOT sell used moderator water!
As far as I know, all heavy water is made from ordinary tap water, not ocean water. Nearly all of it is made with a chemical technique starting with ammonia-hydrogen and aminomethane-hydrogen. This is toxic and polluting, but fortunately very little heavy water is needed. The world's biggest heavy water production plant at Bruce Point, ON was shut down and demolished in 1990s. I have no idea where they make the stuff now. See:
A.I. Miller, "Heavy Water: A Manufacturers' Guide for the Hydrogen Century" http://www.cns-snc.ca/Bulletin/A_Miller_Heavy_Water.pdf - Jed
